The Federal Government of Nigeria does not negotiate with terrorists, Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, has stated.
Speaking on Channels Television, Bwala emphasized that the complexity of Nigeria’s security situation sometimes forces governments to make difficult decisions, but President Tinubu has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to negotiation.
Bwala explained that previous governments had negotiated with terrorists, but this approach was seen as financing terrorism.
He noted that factors such as fear of exposure, influence from clerics or other individuals, and intelligence gathering could lead to the release of kidnap victims without ransom payment.
The presidential aide insisted that the federal government did not pay for the release of the Kebbi schoolgirls and would not do so in the future.
He dismissed claims by terrorists as propaganda aimed at intimidating the public, saying rebuilding trust would take time.
