No ransom paid for release of kidnapped victims —Presidential aide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Photo: State House

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Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has clarified that the Federal Government does not negotiate with or pay ransom to terrorists, despite claims surrounding the release of kidnapped schoolchildren.

In an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday, Bwala acknowledged that in previous administrations, the government sometimes engaged in negotiations to protect citizens, saying, “There was a time the Federal Government was negotiating.

“When they said both states and the Federal Government can be in a situation where they will have to negotiate because if your duty is to preserve the life of people and citizens of Nigeria are in danger and negotiation is the only way to save them … you have to do all that you need to do to save them at that time.”

He, however, added that under Tinubu’s administration, the government maintains “a zero-tolerance policy on negotiation.”

Explaining the rationale behind this stance, Bwala said, “You are constructively financing terrorism without knowing it.

“Instead of targeting those sponsoring them, ransom payments only allow terrorists to buy more weapons. The Federal Government does not, and will not, tolerate the idea of negotiation.”

Asked specifically about the release of the Kebbi schoolgirls and St. Mary’s children, Bwala said there are “lots of factors that can occasion that, ”including pressure from negotiators, religious leaders, or intelligence operations, as well as interventions by families or state governments.

“But you ask the question whether the Federal Government did pay ransom, and I told you no,” he emphasised.

On reports that terrorists mocked the government in videos claiming negotiations took place, Bwala said, “That’s the whole essence of terrorism.

“Terrorism is a belligerent war; terrorists inflict fear. In terms of communication, they can say anything they want to say … but if they want to, the same way you want the government to support whatever claim the government is making, I believe that if the terrorists have facts as they claim, they will give those facts … confidence building will take time.”

He added that although the problem was inherited by the current administration, “our eyes are on the ball. Solving the problem is much more important to us than people having a meeting … to say government is doing well or not.”

Bwala’s clarification comes amid rising insecurity and frequent kidnapping incidents, including the recent release of some abducted schoolchildren, and amid speculation about whether the federal government negotiates with terrorists.

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