The women, who were Internally Displaced Persons, were said to have been kidnapped while they went into the bush in search of firewood.

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Recognizing the severity of the situation, Idris said President Tinubu has directed security agencies to take proactive measures to halt the spread of this criminal activity.

He said “You’re also asking about the apparent surge in this kidnapping across the country. Now it is true that some of these are happening, we have seen what has happened in Kaduna, in Borno and then in Sokoto.

“Of course, government is watching that very closely and not just watching, also ensuring that security agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure that this is halted significantly.

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“Now, like I said, Mr. President has said that is an unacceptable situation and the government will not condone abductions or kidnappings or any kind of criminality in that direction.

“We’re seeing this happening and government is taking very proactive steps, first to mitigate that, and also to stop the spread of this apparently.”

“We are seeing that the more the security agencies are also hitting these targets or criminals, the more they are pushed to also getting some soft targets.

“But government is not taking any excuses. The President has directed that security agencies must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that these children and all those who have been kidnapped are brought back in safety and also in the process to ensure that not a dime is paid for ransom.”

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The minister further underscored the government’s unwavering commitment, emphasizing, “It’s important to underscore that no dime, government is not paying anybody any dime, and the government is optimistic that these children and other people that have been abducted will be brought back to their families in safety.”

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