Spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi has accused the federal government of worsening insecurity by negotiating with kidnappers to secure the release of abducted persons.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Abdullahi said the pattern of recent releases — especially involving schoolchildren — suggests that officials maintain direct communication with criminal groups.
“If the government can speak with kidnappers and they agree to free victims, then it means they know who these people are. So why has no one been arrested?” he asked.
His remarks followed a claim by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, who said on Arise TV that the latest rescue operation was carried out by the DSS and the military, not through ransom payments. Onanuga argued that the abductors cooperated because they feared military action that could have led to “collateral damage.”
Abdullahi, however, insisted that the government’s strategy is dangerous and is inadvertently strengthening what he called the “banditry economy.”
He cited the case in Ekiti where, after the release of churchgoers, 11 more people were abducted the very next day.
“Making deals with terrorists only encourages them to kidnap more,” he said.
He welcomed President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on security but questioned the effectiveness of closing schools to prevent further attacks.
“If schools are shut down because bandits may strike, it shows the government can no longer protect them and indirectly reinforces Boko Haram’s anti-education ideology,” he said.
Abdullahi also rejected suggestions that the ADC is seeking foreign intervention or exploiting insecurity for political gain, saying the party is only raising concerns about a rapidly deteriorating security situation.
