The (PDP) has accused the Federal Government of encouraging criminality following reports that ransom was allegedly paid to secure the release of kidnapped victims in parts of Niger, Kebbi and Kwara states.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the opposition party described the reported payments as “shameful and unfortunate,” citing media reports that allegedly confirmed the widely speculated ransom transactions. The PDP said the revelations followed the visit of , United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, who recently engaged Nigerian security and finance officials on efforts to disrupt illicit financial flows linked to extremist groups.
According to the party, the development reinforces findings by the (NBS) in its Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey 2024, which reported that N2.3 trillion was paid in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024, with over 2.2 million Nigerians kidnapped within the period. The PDP argued that the figures reflect worsening insecurity under President ’s administration.
The party further alleged that delayed and partial releases of budgeted security funds, coupled with what it described as an ad hoc security approach, have contributed to persistent reports of criminal groups possessing superior weaponry and the continued inability to decisively win the war against terrorism.
“It is standard practice globally that governments do not pay ransom, because such payments are counterproductive. Rather than assuaging criminals, ransom payments fuel their operations and make tackling them even harder,” the statement read.
The PDP described as hypocritical the allegation that a government which enacted the , criminalising ransom payments, could itself be accused of paying ransom from public funds—an allegation the Federal Government has consistently denied.
The party also referenced Nigeria’s rankings in global security and governance indices, including the Global Terrorism Index 2025 and the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2025, as indicators of deteriorating security conditions.
It urged the Federal Government to immediately halt ransom payments by both government entities and private individuals through strict implementation of the Terrorism Act. The PDP also called for aggressive tracking of illicit financial flows and tasked the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell, established in December 2024, to deliver on its mandate of curbing kidnapping nationwide.
The opposition party specifically demanded clarity on allegations that “huge ransom, running into millions of dollars,” was paid to secure the release of abductees, particularly victims of St. Mary’s School in Niger State.
“Nigerians deserve a government that matches its legislative ambitions with operational commitment,” the statement added, urging authorities to take what it termed strategic rather than performative steps to address insecurity in the country.
