National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has appealed to Nigerians to desist from paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits, warning that the practice exacerbates insecurity across the country.

Ribadu made the call on Tuesday while receiving 60 recently rescued kidnapping victims at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja. The victims had been abducted from Zangon Kataf in Southern Kaduna and held captive for over a month.

“Please stop giving money to these people. It is the most difficult thing we are facing,” Ribadu said. “Many of these victims had families who paid ransom, yet it didn’t lead to their release. It is the security forces who secured their freedom  not money.”

He stressed that ransom payments only strengthen criminal networks and undermine the efforts of security agencies. “The more you give, the more you compound the problem for us. We have never paid a dime and we don’t want people to do so,” he added.

The NSA commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and security services for their role in the successful rescue, describing their relentless operations as critical to the country’s security progress.

“Let me specially commend our armed forces and security services. Their tireless pursuit of these criminals is the reason we are here today,” Ribadu said, also expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support of Nigeria’s security infrastructure.

He concluded by emphasizing that while the rescue operation is a significant win, the battle against criminality is far from over. “The release of victims is not the end. We will continue to pursue these perpetrators and ensure they face justice,” he said.

The rescued victims include a Deputy Director in the civil service, a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, 35 males, and 29 females and children.