PDP Blasts Tinubu’s Government Over Ransom

PDP Blasts Tinubu’s Government Over Ransom

The Peoples Democratic Party has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of promoting crime over reports of ransom payments to kidnappers.

The opposition said recent media reports alleged that the Federal Government paid ransom to free victims abducted in states such as Niger, Kebbi and Kwara.

The reaction followed an AFP investigation which claimed billions of naira were paid to secure the release of nearly 230 pupils and staff kidnapped from St Marys Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger State.

The report alleged negotiations were handled by the Office of the National Security Adviser and that funds were moved by helicopter to Gwoza in Borno State, with claims that two Boko Haram commanders were freed as part of the deal.

The PDP said the situation was “not only shameful and unfortunate, but also a sad confirmation” of findings by the National Bureau of Statistics, which reported that N2.3 trillion was paid in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024.

It argued that “it is the height of hypocrisy” for a government that enacted the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 to be accused of paying ransom, urging authorities to stop such payments and take firm steps to tackle insecurity.