Military Uses Blockade Strategy to Rescue Kidnap Victims Without Ransom

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has explained how security forces have rescued kidnapped victims without killing or arresting the terrorists holding them.

Musa said the strategy involves locating the terrorists, blocking their escape routes and cutting off their access to food, water, fuel and other supplies.

The Defence Minister explained that terrorists often run away when they realise that security forces are approaching, leaving their victims behind.

He disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday while speaking about recent military operations in which kidnapped victims were rescued without bloodshed or ransom payments.

According to Musa, security forces first identify where the terrorists are hiding before surrounding the area and blocking the routes they could use to escape.

He said the approach also involves cutting off supplies that help the terrorists remain in the area for long periods.

Musa explained that when terrorists are denied food, water and fuel, their ability to remain in their hideouts becomes limited.

He added that terrorists usually do not want to risk their lives when security forces begin operations, making them more likely to flee and abandon their captives.

The minister said drones and other military movements can also put pressure on the terrorists and force them to scatter.

He warned that people who secretly provide terrorists with food, water, fuel and other supplies are helping them to continue operating.

Musa also said ransom payments could provide security agencies with an opportunity to trace the movement of money linked to terrorist activities.

According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria is working to track funds connected to criminal activities and identify where such money comes from and where it goes.

The Defence Minister also called on state governors to review the practice of distributing motorcycles as palliatives.

He warned that some of the motorcycles given to people could eventually end up in the hands of terrorists and give them an easier way to move around and escape security operations.

Musa advised that where motorcycles must be distributed, smaller-capacity motorcycles should be considered because they may not give terrorists the same level of mobility.

The minister said security agencies would continue to use different strategies to rescue kidnapped victims and weaken the activities of terrorists.

The approach, he explained, is aimed at rescuing victims while limiting the risk of losing lives during military operations.

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