Senate Spokesperson Denies Ransom Payment in Recent Schoolchildren Rescues

The spokesperson for the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, has dismissed claims that the Federal Government paid ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted in recent incidents in Kebbi and Niger states.

Adaramodu, who represents the Ekiti South senatorial district, addressed rising public concerns over the nature of the recent rescue operations, insisting that no financial settlement was made to the abductors. This comes despite earlier comments by Bayo Onanuga  Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu  confirming that security operatives established contact with bandits while negotiating the release of kidnap victims in Kwara State.

According to Adaramodu, communication with abductors can occur in different forms, but security agencies are not obligated to disclose operational details 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 amid a renewed wave of school kidnappings across Nigeria, which has intensified scrutiny of the government’s counter-kidnapping strategy. Human rights groups and community stakeholders have long argued that the lack of transparency surrounding rescue missions fuels speculation, especially when victims return without evidence of armed confrontation or arrests.

Responding to concerns that no images or reports of captured gunmen were presented after the latest rescues, Adaramodu cautioned against assuming that security forces did not engage the abductors. He explained that kidnappers often abandon hostages once they realise security operatives are closing in.

“If you have not seen the corpses of abductors or them being handcuffed, that does not negate the possibility of intense confrontation,” he said.

Adaramodu also revealed that the Senate has set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Kebbi school abduction. Preliminary briefings from state authorities and security agencies suggest that soldiers posted to guard the school left their duty post shortly before the attackers struck.

The recent death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, a key figure in anti-banditry operations  has further increased pressure on the military’s operational performance. According to Adaramodu, the committee will also examine the events leading to the officer’s death.

He stressed that while the National Assembly will continue to demand accountability, security agencies are not expected to disclose tactical information.

“Their mandate is to rescue victims safely. How they execute that cannot be in the public domain,” he said.

Adaramodu assured Nigerians that the Senate remains committed to supporting security agencies in restoring safety nationwide.