{
  "id": 13187800,
  "title": "Ransom payments could sustain bandit networks – IHRC-RFT",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/ransom-payments-could-sustain-bandit-networks-ihrc-rft",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T19:09:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/09/ransom-payments-could-sustain-bandit-networks-ihrc-rft/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria chapter of the International Human Rights Commission–Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT) has cautioned against paying ransoms to criminal groups, warning that such actions could perpetuate bandit networks and expose innocent citizens to ongoing abductions, violence, and trauma. The organization urged the Federal Government to bolster security operations, dismantle bandit networks, and sever their sources of funding to combat banditry and kidnappings throughout the country. In a statement released on Friday, Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, IHRC-RFT's Country Director in Nigeria, echoed the stance of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on the perils of ransom payments to criminal entities.\n\nThe IHRC-RFT emphasized that funding criminals should not be pursued while neglecting the safety of citizens, stating that combating criminal networks must go hand in hand with the effective protection of the public. The organization stressed that efforts to deter ransom payments must be matched by robust security measures to safeguard lives and prevent additional abductions. The IHRC-RFT called on the Federal Government to take decisive action to eradicate banditry and kidnapping, protect the lives of Nigerians, and restore enduring peace across the nation.",
  "summary": "The International Human Rights Commission–Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT) has warned that paying ransoms to criminal groups could help sustain bandit networks while exposing innocent citizens to continued abductions, violence and trauma. The organisation called on the Federal Government to intensify security operations, dismantle bandit networks and cut off their sources of funding to tackle…",
  "key_points": [
    "IHRC-RFT warns against paying ransoms to criminal groups",
    "Ransom payments could sustain bandit networks, endanger citizens",
    "Federal Government urged to strengthen security and dismantle networks"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}