The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has explained how Nigerian security forces have successfully rescued kidnapped victims without paying ransom or engaging their captors in deadly confrontations.
Musa said the military’s strategy involves identifying the locations of terrorists and kidnappers, surrounding the areas and cutting off escape routes and access to essential supplies.
The minister disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed questions about recent operations in which abducted victims were rescued while their captors escaped.
According to him, security forces rely heavily on intelligence and tactical manoeuvres to put pressure on criminal groups holding hostages.
He explained that once the location of the terrorists is established, troops can block routes through which the criminals could escape while simultaneously restricting their access to necessities such as food, water and fuel.
Musa said the strategy can force terrorists to abandon their captives as they attempt to escape security forces.
Terrorists Flee When Troops Close In
The Defence Minister noted that terrorists are often unwilling to engage security forces when they detect an approaching operation.
He said the presence of military aircraft, surveillance systems or drones can cause the criminals to scatter, leaving their victims behind.
According to Musa, this has enabled troops to recover abducted persons without necessarily having to engage the terrorists in a direct firefight.
He said the objective is to create conditions that make it difficult for the criminals to remain in their hideouts while prioritising the safety of the hostages.
Cutting Off Supplies
Musa further explained that criminal groups operating in remote locations depend on supplies brought to them by individuals who provide food, water and fuel.
He warned that such assistance enables terrorists to remain in their hideouts for extended periods and continue their criminal activities.
The minister therefore stressed the importance of cutting off these supply channels as part of efforts to weaken terrorist networks and make their operations unsustainable.
Government Rejects Ransom Payments
The minister also reiterated the Federal Government’s position against ransom payments to kidnappers and terrorists.
He said the government does not approve ransom payments and that security agencies are instead expected to use intelligence and operational measures to secure the release of victims.
Musa added that financial transactions linked to criminal activities were being monitored, with the Central Bank of Nigeria also involved in efforts to trace suspicious funds.
Musa Warns Against Giving Motorcycles As Palliatives
The Defence Minister also appealed to state governors to reconsider the distribution of motorcycles as part of empowerment or palliative programmes.
He warned that motorcycles could eventually fall into the hands of terrorists and bandits, giving them greater mobility and making it easier for them to attack communities and escape security operations.
Musa suggested that where motorcycles must be distributed, governments should consider lower-capacity models that would be less useful to criminal groups.
He further urged authorities to pay greater attention to how items distributed through government programmes are used after they are handed over to beneficiaries.
The minister’s comments come amid continued military operations against kidnapping, terrorism and banditry across several parts of Nigeria, as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue victims and dismantle criminal networks.
