‘I Won’t Pay Ransom or Negotiate With Bandits,’ Niger Governor Bago Tells Residents to Defend Themselves
The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, has taken a hardline stance against banditry, telling residents he will refuse ransom payments or negotiations with kidnappers and urging communities to take measures to protect themselves.
Speaking during a security town-hall meeting in Minna, Governor Bago said the policy of paying ransoms only encourages more abductions and criminality. He urged citizens to support security agencies and local vigilante groups while promising that the state government will bolster prevention and response capabilities.
“Our position is clear: we will not negotiate with criminals or pay ransoms that fuel this vicious cycle. We must instead strengthen our defences, improve intelligence, and work with security forces to confront these barbaric acts,” he told the assembly.
What the Governor Promised
- No ransom policy: Bago reiterated that the state government will not make or authorize ransom payments to kidnappers.
- Support for self-defence: He encouraged communities to organise local security structures — within the law — and promised training and basic equipment for legitimate local vigilante outfits.
- Increased security deployment: The governor said additional police and military patrols would be deployed to hotspot areas and that coordination with federal security agencies would be intensified.
- Improved intelligence sharing: Bago pledged to set up better information channels between communities and security operatives to detect threats early.
Reactions and Concerns
Reactions were mixed. Some community leaders welcomed the tougher stance, arguing that ransom payments have long financed criminal networks.
“We agree that paying kidnappers only makes the problem worse. But we also want urgent action from security agencies to keep us safe,” said a town elder who spoke at the meeting.
Others warned that while refusing to pay ransoms is principled, it could place hostages at greater immediate risk unless accompanied by rapid, effective rescue capacity and sustained security presence. Humanitarian and rights groups stressed the need for clear safeguards to protect civilians and prevent abuses by armed vigilantes.
Security Experts’ View
Security analysts noted that a no-ransom policy can help undercut the business model of kidnappers — but only when paired with:
- Robust rescue and response capabilities;
- Community trust in security forces;
- Measures to cut off kidnappers’ logistics, financing and safe havens; and
- Legal oversight of any civilian defence initiatives to prevent escalation.
Government Next Steps
Governor Bago said his administration will immediately:
- Intensify patrols and joint operations with the military and police in vulnerable local government areas;
- Launch community sensitisation on reporting suspicious movements;
- Provide limited funding, training and vetting for recognised local security auxiliaries; and
- Work with federal agencies to disrupt bandit networks’ supply and ransom channels.
The Broader Context
Kidnapping for ransom has emerged as a major security and humanitarian crisis in parts of northern Nigeria, with families and communities often pushed into paying huge sums. Authorities nationwide have been under pressure to adopt strategies that both save lives and end the cycle of payment-driven criminality.
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