The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revealed that fundraising/crowdfunding on social media for ransom payments to kidnappers is an illegal and punishable offense. This revelation was made known on Thursday during a live TV program on Channels by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi Adejobi said such actions demoralize police personnel, stressing that paying a ransom is criminal in Nigeria. Adejobi also condemned the use of social media for crowdfunding, stating that it hampers morale and undermines the system. Adejobi expressed concern, stating that this emerging trend, adding that it could incentivize more Nigerians to engage in kidnapping due to its perceived profitability, potentially fueling the criminal activity more.
He said, “Paying ransom is criminal in Nigeria, according to the provisions of our law. But the problem we have in most cases is that families of victims in most cases, they don’t carry security operatives along.“They get scared because kidnappers always work on their psyche, ‘Don’t tell security agents, don’t tell the police, if you do, we are going to kill your relations,’ and they keep quiet.
“It got to a stage where somebody did crowdfunding on social media; this will not help us in any way. It is criminal. It is not allowed. It is condemned. Even the Federal Government condemned it.“Crowdfunding is not allowed. How can you come on social media and tell people to gather money to go and rescue victims? It kills our morale; it kills the system. We should not encourage that.” “The more we encourage payment of ransom, the more it makes that dirty business lucrative,” he added.
In January, Former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami revealed that a friend had pledged N50 million to contribute to funds for the ransom demanded by kidnappers for the release of five sisters, including Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar.
Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, her five sisters, and their father were abducted by kidnappers in their residence in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but she (Naheeba) was unfortunately killed by the kidnappers who had demanded a ransom of N60 million for their release...
Certain individuals, whose family members have been abducted, are now appealing for financial help through social media.
The Police PPRO, however, said the new trend would encourage many Nigerians to continue to engage in kidnapping because they would realize it is profitable.
