The wife of the Governor of Kaduna State, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai on Wednesday reechoed the sentiments of her husband, Nasir el-Rufai, when she declared that ransom must not be paid in the event that she is kidnapped.
Mrs. el-Rufai made the declaration while addressing participants of a peace and security training, organized for Kaduna women by Equal Access International (EAI).
According to her, Nigerians must get back their once peaceful country and women have a great role to play in achieving that.
She said: ”We must sacrifice to bring this to an end. I am ready to die in the hands of kidnappers if it will bring peace to this country.
“For as long as you continue to pay ransom, it is like you are adding kerosene to fire. You are giving bandits, kidnappers money for ammunition to continue to haunt you. We should not pay ransom. This is my personal opinion.
“I have said it before and I will say it again, if I am kidnapped don’t pay any ransom. rather pray for me that if it is death, I go in a good way and if I am going to be released that I am not violated.
“As long as we are giving them the money and they hurt people around, they will not change.
“Collectively as a country we have to say no, we can not continue to give them our hard earned money to buy weapons and drugs to kill and maim our children. If we don’t put a stop to this, they will destroy us all. They will even kidnap the person that takes the ransom to them.
“You will see that some of them you even give them the ransom and they kill the person, so you have lost twice.”
NaijaNewsNow reports that Governor Nasir el-Rufai has been vocal against the payment of ransom or negotiating with bandits or kidnappers.
