Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says the federal government — including the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan — paid ransom to rescue kidnapped persons.
The country has recorded a series of mass abductions, with students being the victims in recent times.While the kidnappers often demand ransom for the release of the abductees, several stakeholders have differed on whether they (kidnappers) should be negotiated with and paid ransom or not.
Speaking yesterday when he played host to members of the Tiv Professionals Group (TPG) in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Obasanjo said governments have been paying ransom but denied it.
He, however, said the issue of kidnapping must be addressed with carrot-and-stick approach, adding that payment of ransom encourages the crime.
He added that if ransom will not be paid, the situation has to be dealt with using other methods.
“Some people are still reaching out, and hoping that lives can still be saved.
But a situation whereby anybody thinks paying ransom is the way out, that person is folly. He is a folly,” he said.
“This is because when you pay ransom, you encourage. But if you are not going to pay ransom, you must have the means to deal heavily with it. You must have the stick to deal with it.
“Government has always paid ransom. Not only this government, even during Jonathan. They paid ransom but they denied it.”
READ ALSO! Nigerian Central Bank Approves Disbursement Of Loans For Creative Industries At 9%
READ ALSO! Tony Elumelu To Empower 1,000 Northern Entrepreneurs With $5000 Each
READ ALSO! How To Empower Yourself And Generate Income From Mutual Funds
READ ALSO! Is N-Power Truly Empowering Nigerian Youths?
READ ALSO! How Nigerian Govt Can Lift 100million People Out Of Poverty — Tony Elumelu
READ ALSO! TraderMoni: Poverty Alleviation Or Political Leverage?
READ ALSO! Is N-Power Truly Empowering Nigerian Youths?
READ ALSO! Gtbank 737 Disservice: How to Kick Your Customers in the Butt!
READ ALSO! Why The North Remains Headquarters Of Poverty In Nigeria — Kingsley Moghalu
READ ALSO! The Love Of Your Life Is An Illusion: It Doesn’t Exist Anywhere!
