A former Commissioner in Ekiti State and representative of Eda-Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mr Rufus Ajayi, has supported the decision of the Ekiti State Government for refusing to intervene in the community-raised payment of N25.5 ransom to secure the release of victims abducted during the recent attack on the community.
Mr Ajayi said the government’s stance was a bold and strategic decision that would discourage kidnappers from targeting Ekiti State as a lucrative destination for criminal activities.
Speaking with journalists at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti (EKSUTH) where the victims arrived for proper treatment, Ajayi maintained that any government involvement in ransom payment would have sent a wrong signal to criminal elements.
He insisted that denying kidnappers the incentive of government-backed ransom payments would ultimately help weaken their operations and reinforce the state’s resolve against violent crime.
According to him, “Th state government did not respond and I understand their stand.
“Honestly speaking, if they have paid, the Kidnappers would be coming often to Ekiti to kidnap knowing fully well that the state government would give them money”
