The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), has stated that the Federal Government does not pay ransom to kidnappers or terrorists.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, a video of which was seen on Friday, the minister explained that most military rescue operations are intelligence-driven and executed swiftly.

He said, “I do not encourage ransom payments because if the government pays, it encourages more kidnappings. Government does not pay ransom to rescue anyone from terrorists; it is individuals who make such payments. Whenever there is a case of kidnapping, the military immediately acts.

“Most times, when we locate the kidnappers, we move in, and they flee, leaving their captives behind, who are then rescued.”

Addressing concerns about the continued operations of terrorists, Musa noted that the country’s vast size allows them to relocate quickly.

“This country is large; when soldiers act in one area, terrorists often move to another,” he said.

The minister also emphasized the importance of strengthening border security to curb the influx of terrorists.

“We are working to monitor people entering from neighboring countries so that they are properly documented. Physical barriers like fences will help prevent illegal substances and criminals from entering, but walls cannot be built everywhere—some areas have rivers. Modern technologies can also be used to track movements and identify points of entry,” he said.

Musa urged citizens to provide timely information to authorities rather than cooperating with insurgents.

“What is most important is for people to report suspicious individuals. Those supplying food or selling items to terrorists should stop. Public cooperation is crucial,” he stressed.

Reaffirming the military’s commitment to tackling insecurity, he said, “We will intensify our efforts against terrorism with the support of the President. Technologies and troops will be deployed to vulnerable areas. We are also cooperating with neighboring countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, because this fight requires collective action.”