You are misinforming Nigerians with claims of Buhari’s administration paying ransom to terrorists selectively - Presidency warns CAN

The Presidency has warned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to desist from misinforming Nigerians following its recent claim of Buhari’s administration allegedly paying ransom to terrorists selectively.

This came after the Spokesman of CAN, Kwamkur Samuel was quoted saying that ransoms were paid to secure the release of Muslim Chibok and Dapchi school girls who were held hostage by Boko Haram. Kwamkur also allegedly accused the Buhari-led administration of having cold feet in paying same ransom when christians fell victim to same.

Reacting to the claim, President Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina described the allegation as “unfounded”. He stated that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls on March 21, 2018.

The statement read;

“We are again constrained to react to unfounded allegations by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) about the payment or non-payment of ransom for the release of the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls.

“Media reports quoted CAN’s Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Samuel to have said inter alia: ‘Nigerians need to know, if they have not known the reason why the Presidency could not pay ransom to rescue Chibok girls. It is because 80% to 90% of the girls are Christians. The reason why Dapchi girls’ ransom was quickly paid and they were returned is the discovery that most of the girls were Muslims except Leah Sharibu who is still in captivity.’
“When the media in August 2018 quoted a United Nations Report alleging that the Federal Government paid a ‘huge ransom’ for the release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls on March 21, 2018, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, immediately disputed the report, insisting that no ransom was paid, ‘little or huge.’ According to the Minister, ‘There must be a conclusive evidence to support such a claim. Without that, the claim remains what it is – a mere conjecture.’
“And we ask, ‘Who should Nigerians or CAN rather believe, if there is good faith?
“We urge CAN to desist from disinformation which can further divide Nigerians. The letter and spirit of the Holy Bible do not support discord, which CAN’s allegations are liable to cause.
“The Christian body need not be antagonistic to every attempt by the administration to move Nigeria forward, before it can champion or defend the Christian faith.
“President Muhammadu Buhari made it very clear in 2015 that if ransom needed to be paid to free the Chibok schoolgirls, he would pay. That is a testament to his commitment to get the girls back.
“Notwithstanding our different faiths, we are all stakeholders in the promotion of peace in our fatherland. And the Holy Bible enjoins us to, “Seek peace, and pursue it”