President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has reiterated that the Federal Government has adopted a strict policy against negotiating with terrorists.
Bwala made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, noting that while past administrations explored negotiations under certain circumstances, the Tinubu government has taken a definitive stance.
According to him, older national security policies once allowed both federal and state authorities to consider dialogue with terror groups, particularly when innocent lives were at stake.
He explained that such negotiations were sometimes seen as the only viable means of securing the release of abducted citizens.
However, he stressed that President Tinubu’s administration views negotiation as counterproductive because ransom payments invariably end up strengthening criminal networks.
“When you pay ransom, even unknowingly, you are funding terrorism,” Bwala said.
“The money being given to secure victims is often used to acquire more weapons. That’s why the current administration maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward negotiations.”
Why Kidnap Victims Sometimes Regain Freedom Without Ransom
Speaking on the recent abduction and release of schoolchildren in Kebbi State, Bwala explained that several factors can lead to the return of captives—many of which do not involve ransom payments.
He noted that abductors sometimes backtrack when they believe holding onto victims could expose them to military retaliation or increased public pressure. In other cases, influential figures such as clerics or community leaders intervene and persuade the kidnappers to release their captives.
Bwala added that intelligence operations may also pressure the criminals without direct confrontation.
“Security agencies might identify their location but avoid a direct strike to prevent harming the innocent victims,” he said.
“In such situations, the pressure alone can force the abductors to release people on their own.”
Families, States Still Pay Ransom Privately, But Not FG — Bwala
While acknowledging that some desperate families and state governments sometimes engage in ransom payments on their own, Bwala insisted that the Federal Government did not pay for the release of the Kebbi schoolgirls and has no intention of doing so in the future.
He dismissed recent videos circulated by bandits claiming that the government negotiated with them, describing the claims as “propaganda designed to frighten the public.”
“They’ve offered no proof—no figures, no names, nothing. These are intimidation tactics,” he emphasized.
Government Rebuilding Trust Amid Inherited Security Challenges
Bwala admitted that restoring public confidence will take time, especially because the security crisis predates the Tinubu administration.
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Nonetheless, he assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to tackling insecurity decisively.
“This government inherited the problem, but we are focused. Our eyes are on the goal,” he said.
