Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has explained that the Federal Government’s decision not to pay ransom to the abductors of the teachers and pupils kidnapped in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State was aimed at discouraging the growth of criminal enterprises in Nigeria.
In a statement released by his media office, Igboho said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes that ransom payments could embolden criminal groups, provide financial support for their operations, and encourage further acts of banditry and kidnapping across the country.
Reacting to the safe release of the kidnapped teachers and pupils, Igboho commended the military for deploying what he described as “highly coordinated diplomacy and intelligence-driven strategies” to secure the freedom of the victims without yielding to the demands of the abductors.
He praised the efforts of security agencies, noting that a firm stance against ransom payments, combined with effective intelligence and tactical operations, remains crucial in the fight against criminal networks threatening the nation’s security.
The statement reads “I want to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military, the Police, Department of State Services and other paramilitary agencies for their painstaking efforts, which resulted in the freedom of the pupils and their teachers.
“This development not only brought relief and joy to their distraught families, it has also rekindled hope of the citizenry in the commitment of the Federal Government to tackle criminalities and ensure safe and secured environment.
“It is also crucial to laud the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu and the National Security Adviser.
“Since the day the pupils were abducted, Tinubu has spared no effort to ensure their release. I want to emphatically state and assure that government’s resolve to tackle criminal networks in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole is not in doubt.
“The Federal Government’s current synergy with local security organisations to confront criminals in communities will continue unabated as we are absolutely committed to exploring all legal means to create conducive environments for farmers and inhabitants of rural communities in the South West,” the statement added.
He, however, commiserated with the families that lost their loved ones during the period the victims were in captivity, especially a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded by the terrorists.
