The practice of crowd-funding for ransom continues to persist despite warnings from the Federal Government against it. Families of abductees are raising funds from relatives, friends, and social media to secure the release of their loved ones.
They justify the act by stating that they fear the victims might be killed or harmed if they fail to pay the ransom. The government, however, has condemned crowd-funding for ransom and considers it a criminal act. The Nigeria Police Force has also warned against the practice, stating that it undermines security and contributes to the increase in abductions. Despite the warnings, families of abductees believe that paying the ransom is necessary to protect the lives of their loved ones. They argue that if the government can ensure the security of lives and property, there would be no need for crowd-funding for ransom.
