SUNTV GLOBAL CHANNEL REPORT
Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has launched a fierce attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of secretly paying ransom to kidnappers — a move the party says is emboldening criminal groups and worsening insecurity nationwide.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the alleged payments as a “shameful encouragement of criminality” and a dangerous contradiction of Nigeria’s anti-terror laws.
Allegations Linked To School Kidnap Case
The controversy follows an investigative report by global news agency Agence France‑Presse (AFP), which claimed the federal government paid billions of naira to secure the release of nearly 230 pupils and staff abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State last November.
According to the report:
- Between ₦2 billion and ₦10 billion was allegedly paid after negotiations led by the National Security Adviser’s office.
- Two commanders of Boko Haram were reportedly released as part of the deal.
- The ransom funds were allegedly transported by helicopter to Gwoza, a known insurgent stronghold in Borno State.
The Federal Government has repeatedly denied paying ransom in kidnapping cases.
PDP Cites “Trillion-Naira Ransom Economy”
The opposition party said the allegations reinforce findings by the National Bureau of Statistics, which reported that Nigerians paid about ₦2.3 trillion in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024.
The PDP also claimed over 2.2 million people were kidnapped during the same period.
According to the party, paying ransom:
- Encourages criminals
- Funds terrorist operations
- Undermines national security efforts
“It is globally recognised that governments do not pay ransom because it only strengthens criminal networks,” the statement said.
Accusations Of Hypocrisy
The PDP described the allegations as ironic, noting that the current administration enacted the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which criminalises ransom payments.
The party also argued that Nigeria’s poor global security rankings reflect what it called the government’s “ineffective and ad-hoc approach” to tackling insecurity.
PDP Demands Transparency
The party is now demanding:
- A full government explanation on the allegations
- Immediate enforcement of anti-ransom laws
- Stronger tracking of illicit financial flows to criminal groups
- Improved action from the multi-agency anti-kidnap task force
“Nigerians deserve leadership that matches tough laws with real action,” the PDP said.
Government Yet To Respond
As of press time, federal authorities had not issued a fresh official response to the latest accusations.
✅ SUNTV Global Channel will continue monitoring developments on this unfolding national security controversy.
