Ogundoyin made the disclosure during a heated debate at the State House of Assembly on the sensitive question of whether government should negotiate with kidnappers and armed groups in order to secure the freedom of victims.
According to him, the demands made by the abductors go beyond financial ransom and now include items that could potentially strengthen their operations and influence governance decisions.
“To bring these children and teachers back, if it is up to you, will you negotiate with kidnappers if they ask for weapons, they ask for money, they ask for concessions on future laws of this land as part of their ransom?” he queried.
He further questioned the moral and security implications of such negotiations, asking whether any administration would agree to conditions that could entrench criminal activity or force communities to accept perpetrators back into society.
Ogundoyin warned that yielding to such demands could worsen insecurity across the state and embolden criminal groups. “The more you negotiate with these people, the more you embolden them,” he cautioned.
The Speaker’s remarks come amid growing public concern following the abduction of pupils and teachers during attacks on Esiele and Yawota communities on May 15, an incident that has sparked outrage and renewed calls for urgent rescue operations and stronger security measures.
