The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, has dismissed allegations that the Federal Government paid ransom for the recent release of abducted schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states.
Speaking on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Adaramodu addressed growing public skepticism surrounding the government’s role in recent rescue operations.
Representing Ekiti South senatorial district, he emphasized that no financial settlement was made to kidnappers, even as Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, confirmed that security operatives had reached out to bandits to secure the release of kidnapped children in Kwara.
“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,” Adaramodu said.
His remarks come amid a resurgence of school kidnappings in Nigeria, which has intensified public scrutiny of the government’s approach to tackling abductions.
Human rights organizations and community leaders have long argued that the lack of transparency in rescue operations fuels speculation, particularly when victims return without visible evidence of armed confrontation or arrests.
Responding to concerns over the absence of images or reports showing captured kidnappers after recent rescues, Adaramodu urged caution in assuming that security forces did not confront the abductors.
“If you have not seen the corpses of abductors or them being handcuffed, that does not negate the possibility of intense confrontation,” he explained.
“When they sense superior firepower, they run and leave the victims behind,” he added.
Adaramodu further revealed that the Senate has established an ad-hoc committee to investigate the Kebbi school abduction.
Early reports from state authorities and security agencies suggest that soldiers stationed to guard the school had abandoned their posts shortly before the attack occurred.
The death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was involved in anti-banditry operations, has intensified scrutiny on the military’s performance.
Adaramodu noted that the committee will also examine the circumstances surrounding the senior officer’s death.a
He stressed that, while the National Assembly is committed to demanding accountability, security agencies are not obliged to disclose tactical details.
“Their mandate is to rescue victims safely. How they execute that cannot be in the public domain,” he said.
Adaramodu concluded by assuring Nigerians that the Senate will continue to support security agencies in efforts to restore safety across the country.aa
