Presidency Breaks Silence: Will Nigeria Pay Ransom For Released Kebbi Schoolgirls

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, stated on Tuesday that the federal government does not negotiate with terrorists.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In an interview with Channels TV, Bwala acknowledged that Nigeria’s complex security situation can sometimes compel governments to make difficult choices. He explained, however, that President Tinubu has adopted a strict zero-tolerance policy on negotiations with terrorists to prevent inadvertently financing terrorism.

Bwala said, “In the past, there were instances where the government engaged in negotiations, and even former Kaduna Governor el-Rufai mentioned a national policy allowing both states and the federal government to negotiate if necessary. But such actions risk financing terrorism, as ransom money can be used to purchase weapons. President Tinubu’s administration does not tolerate that.”

On the Release of Kebbi Schoolgirls

Speaking on the recently abducted schoolchildren in Kebbi, Bwala highlighted that multiple factors can influence the release of hostages, including the abductors’ fear of exposure, influence from negotiators or clerics, and strategic pressure from government intelligence.

He explained, “Not all releases involve money. Sometimes abductors release victims because they anticipate greater consequences if they hold them longer. Intelligence warnings or the threat of encirclement can also prompt them to free hostages voluntarily.”

Bwala also noted that some families or state governments occasionally pay ransom, but emphasized that the federal government neither paid for the Kebbi schoolgirls’ release nor intends to do so in the future.

Addressing claims by abductors that the federal government had negotiated, Bwala dismissed them as propaganda aimed at intimidating the public. He stressed that the abductors have provided no credible evidence, such as amounts collected or sources of payment.

Concluding, Bwala acknowledged that rebuilding public trust will take time, as the insecurity challenges were inherited, but affirmed that the Tinubu administration remains fully committed to tackling the nation’s security issues, stating, “Our eye is on the ball.”