The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, has rejected suggestions that the Federal Government paid ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren recently kidnapped in Kebbi and Niger states.
He addressed the issue on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, following rising public doubt over the nature of the rescue operations.
Adaramodu, who represents the Ekiti South senatorial district, maintained that no money was paid to the abductors, despite Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, confirming that security agencies contacted bandits during efforts to secure the release of kidnap victims in Kwara.
According to him, communication or negotiation with kidnappers can occur in several ways, but security operatives are not required to reveal the specifics of their strategies to the public.
“From our side at the National Assembly, we believe the Federal Government did not pay any ransom to anybody. If there is any contact with the bandits, there are various types — it can be forceful, persuasive or a mix of both,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when Nigeria is dealing with another string of school abductions, prompting stronger scrutiny of the government’s tactics in addressing the kidnapping crisis.
Human rights organisations and community advocates have repeatedly argued that the secrecy surrounding rescue missions fuels speculation, particularly when victims return without reports of shootouts, captures or visible evidence of conflict.
Responding to criticism that no photographs or reports of arrested gunmen were provided after the latest rescues, Adaramodu warned against drawing conclusions that security forces took no action.
He explained that kidnappers often abandon their hostages once they realise that security operatives are closing in on them.
“If you have not seen the corpses of abductors or them being handcuffed, that does not negate the possibility of intense confrontation,” he said.
“When they sense superior firepower, they run and leave the victims behind,” he added.
Adaramodu also confirmed that the Senate has constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate the Kebbi school abduction.
Preliminary information from state officials and security agencies, he explained, suggests that the soldiers assigned to the school left their position shortly before the kidnappers arrived.
The death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who played a key role in anti-banditry operations, has further intensified concerns about military performance. Adaramodu noted that the committee will also examine the circumstances surrounding his death.
He emphasised that although the National Assembly will continue to demand accountability, security agencies are not expected to disclose confidential operational tactics.
“Their mandate is to rescue victims safely. How they execute that cannot be in the public domain,” he said.
Adaramodu assured the public that the Senate remains committed to assisting security agencies in restoring peace and security across the country.
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