FG says no ransom paid for release of Kuriga students
The Federal Government has said that no ransom was exchanged for the release of the recently abducted students from Kuriga in Kaduna State.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this to State House correspondents following the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
Idris conveyed President Tinubu’s profound appreciation to the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs, and all individuals involved in the successful operation to secure the safe return of the students
“As promised by Mr. President, they have been rescued. No ransom was paid. And as usual and in keeping with the commitment of Mr. President. No ransom was paid. We want to express gratitude to especially the National Security Adviser, the service chiefs and all security agents who participated diligently in ensuring that these kidnapped children and their families were reunited.
“The government is determined to ensure that lives and property owners are protected at all times. And the President has also charged security agencies to ensure that this kidnappings is brought to a halt and finally indeed all those who are participating in these criminal acts will never go unpunished,” the minister said.
Recall that President Tinubu recently vowed that the Federal Government would not pay any ransom to secure the release of abducted victims.
The Minister further revealed that President Tinubu has charged security agencies to intensify efforts to halt the menace of kidnapping across the country.
“The President has also charged security agencies to make sure kidnappings are brought to a halt, and all the perpetrators of kidnapping will be fished out and punished,” Idris stated.
He added that the security agencies will stop at nothing to get useful information from the Islamic cleric and scholar, Sheik Gumi, or any Nigerian with useful information or constructive suggestions.
He also stated that any individual making reckless statements about the state of security in Nigeria will also be reprimanded.
“The government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems the security agencies are up and doing ,sheik Gumi or any other individuals are not above the law , if he has suggestions that are good enough and that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody that is above the law Let me put it here. And I’m aware that he has been also a guest of security agencies to answer questions. When you make remarks especially remarks that borders on our national security it is incumbent on our national security to think further and they are doing just that,” he said.
Speaking on the reports that 287 of the Kuriga children were abducted from there school recently in Kaduna, the Minister restated that all kidnapped kaduna school children have been rescued alive.
“What I can tell you is that there is no report that any of these kidnap victims either died or has been withheld. So, for those that have been taken have been brought back in safety to their families. I can tell you that,” the Minister added.
