‘Bandits fled after seeing superior power’: Senate spokesperson claims FG didn’t pay ransom for release of kidnapped victims

The spokesperson for the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, has dismissed claims that the Federal Government paid ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren recently abducted in Kebbi and Niger states.

He made the clarification on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, amid growing public suspicion over the nature of recent rescue operations.

“From our side at the National Assembly, we believe the Federal Government did not pay any ransom to anybody,” he said on the breakfast show.

“If there is any contact with the bandits, there are several types, negative or positive. It can be through force or persuasion.”

Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South senatorial district, insisted that the government did not make any financial settlement to the abductors, even though, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, confirmed that security operatives contacted bandits for the release of Kwara kidnap victims.

According to Adaramodu, negotiations or contact with kidnappers can occur in different forms, but security agencies are not obligated to disclose operational details to the public.

“From our side at the National Assembly, we believe the Federal Government did not pay any ransom to anybody. If there is any contact with the bandits, there are various types — it can be forceful, persuasive or a mix of both,” he said.

The lawmaker’s comments come as Nigeria grapples with a renewed wave of school kidnappings, prompting heightened scrutiny of the government’s counter-kidnapping strategy.

On November 23, President Bola Tinubu announced that all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara state, have been rescued.

The worshippers were abducted on November 18 when bandits attacked a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the area.

On Tuesday, the 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi state, regained freedom.

On November 17, bandits attacked the school and the students after killing an official and injuring a security guard.

Human rights groups and community stakeholders have long argued that the lack of transparency surrounding rescue missions fuels speculation, especially when victims return without evidence of armed confrontation or arrests.

Responding to concerns that no images or reports of captured gunmen were released after the latest rescues, Adaramodu cautioned against assuming that security forces did not engage the abductors.

He explained that criminals often abandon hostages once they realise that security operatives are closing in.

“If you have not seen the corpses of abductors or them being handcuffed, that does not negate the possibility of intense confrontation,” he said.

“When they sense superior firepower, they run and leave the victims behind,” the lawmaker added.