Nigerians Won’t Pay Ransom If Govt Secure People – CAN

It would only be improper to pay a ransom if the government secured the people, according to Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter.

In response, the cleric cited a statement from Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of Defense, stating that it was illegal to demand ransom in order to free victims who had been kidnapped.

Speaking to journalists in Hausa, the Minister alleged that it was the publicity given to the donation gathered to pay ransom for the release of Abuja kidnapped victims that emboldened the terrorists to demand more.

However, Hayab told Vanguard Correspondent in Kaduna that it was sad that on many occasions, “we have reported kidnapped incidences to security agencies, but they will advise us to continue to dialogue with the bandits, and we keep doing this with no help coming from the security men.”

According to him, “Those who speak against payment of bandits are saying so because they do not have first-hand experience. When their family member, wife, children, parents, or close associate is a victim, they will understand the pressure those paying ransom do go through.”

“No one enjoys paying any dime to bandits, but the failure of the government and our security forces to stop this criminality from tormenting and terrorising the people is the reason why victims and their families have no option but to pay for their freedom.”

“The psychological trauma both primary and secondary victims go through is not what you will want your enemy to experience. Victims of banditry go through painful torture, humiliation, abuse, and all forms of inhumane treatment.”

“Before making an ill-advised statement that suggests they don’t care how people feel, our leaders should first respond well to end the evil that our people are going through.”