President Bola Tinubu’s Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has reaffirmed that the Federal Government maintains a firm stance against negotiating with terrorist groups. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Bwala acknowledged that Nigeria’s security landscape is complex enough to push any administration toward tough and unconventional decisions, but stressed that Tinubu has adopted a strict zero-tolerance approach.
“There was a time the federal government was negotiating (with terrorists), and I think that el-Rufai (the former Kaduna governor) once talked about a national policy at that time, when they said both states and the federal government can be in a situation where they will have to negotiate,” he said. “Because if your duty is to preserve the life of people, and citizens of Nigeria are in danger, and negotiation is the only way to save them, and you have to save them, then you have to do all that you need to do to save them at that time.”
Bwala explained that Tinubu abandoned that model upon assuming office due to its potential long-term risks. “But President Tinubu came with this zero tolerance on negotiation because it didn’t fit into this terrorism financing. You see, you are constructively financing terrorism without knowing it,” he said. “So instead of elements who are sponsoring them by giving them the money as ransom to collect the people, they also use the ransom money to buy more weapons. So the federal government does not tolerate the idea of negotiation.”
When asked how kidnapped schoolchildren were recently released without ransom payments, Bwala said multiple dynamics can influence such outcomes. He noted that some people position themselves as negotiators and that not every engagement with armed groups involves money. Captors may also decide to free victims when holding them becomes too risky or burdensome. He added that influential figures—such as religious leaders—sometimes persuade abductors to release hostages.
Bwala further explained that security agencies may locate the criminals but avoid launching a direct attack if civilians are present, prompting the use of indirect pressure. “In other instances,” he said, “there are also occasions when the groups simply choose to release people on their own.”
He acknowledged that outside the Federal Government’s stance, ransom payments still occur. “I also have to admit that sometimes families of individuals that are kidnapped end up paying the ransom or the state government ends up paying the ransom,” he said. “All of these things are possible for the release of the people but you asked the question whether the Federal Government did pay ransom and I told you no, whether the Federal Government will pay ransom and I am saying no.”
