The Nigeria Police Force has said that crowdfunding for kidnap ransom on social media is an illegal and punishable offense.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated this on Thursday while speaking on a live TV programme on Channels TV.
Adejobi said such actions demoralise 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.
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Adejobi expressed concern, stating that this emerging trend, adding that it could incentivise 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 kept 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 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, along with her five sisters and their father, was kidnapped from their residence in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
Naheeba lost her life at the hands of the kidnappers who had demanded a N60 million ransom for their release.
Certain individuals, whose family members have been abducted, are now appealing for financial help through social media.
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