No more ransom negotiation with terrorists in Nigeria
The Minister of Defence, General Mohammed Badaru Musa, has declared that the federal government will no longer negotiate with terrorists or approve the payment of ransom for kidnapped victims. He said the new position marks a firm shift in strategy aimed at ending the cycle of abductions and weakening the operations of criminal groups across the country.
The defence minister stated that ransom payments have continued to strengthen terrorists financially and encourage more attacks on innocent citizens. According to him, security agencies have now been directed to focus strictly on military and intelligence-led operations to locate, confront, and eliminate criminal elements without engaging in negotiations that further empower them.
General Musa noted that the government is intensifying joint operations involving the military, police, and intelligence services to dismantle terrorist networks and rescue abducted victims through force when necessary. He added that the safety of Nigerians remains the top priority, but the country must break free from practices that reward violent crime.
He also appealed to communities to support security forces with credible intelligence, stressing that public cooperation is critical to the success of the new hardline approach. The minister warned that terrorists will no longer find any form of accommodation or financial benefit from their crimes.
The announcement has sparked strong reactions nationwide, with many Nigerians welcoming the tough stance as long overdue. Others have called for improved security presence and faster response times to ensure that citizens are protected as the no-negotiation policy takes full effect.
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