Nigeria Faces Escalating Kidnapping Crisis, Rejects Ransom Payments

President Bola Tinubu reaffirms Nigeria's no-ransom policy amid a surge in kidnappings, as authorities struggle to secure the release of over 280 schoolchildren.

Over 280 schoolchildren were abducted last week in Kaduna State, Nigeria, with kidnappers demanding over $620,000, vehicles, and motorcycles.
President Bola Tinubu insists on a no-ransom policy, despite increasing public pressure and the illegalization of ransom payments in 2022.
Authorities express concern over the growing challenge of kidnappings, attributed to Islamist militants and local bandits, with nearly 400 people kidnapped in the past ten days.
Efforts to negotiate with kidnappers face skepticism, with little hope for success amid rising ransom demands.
Security analysts criticize the Nigerian government's under-resourced security forces and call for a strategic shift to combat the kidnapping crisis.