By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) has disclosed that kidnapping was largely fuelled through 2024 by sustained ransom payment.
Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the renewed efforts of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) to end the menace.
The MAAKFC was established at the NCTC in December last year as a crucial initiative that brings together different agencies to share intelligence and coordinate efforts to combat kidnapping in the country.
He noted that as a result of efforts by the current administration under the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria recorded 16.3% decline in incidents compared to 2023, even though the number of victims increased slightly by 0.27%.
The General also disclosed that Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara were the states with the highest kidnapping incidents during the period under review.
He expressed regret that kidnapping for ransom still posed a significant security challenge in 2024, with non-state actors such as bandits, terrorists, cultists, militants, and secessionist groups exploiting the crime for pecuniary gains and funding illicit activities.
According to him, despite some improvements, the menace remains a serious threat to national security, socio-economic activities, and food production across the country.
“Kidnapping incidents in 2024 occurred in rural and urban communities, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential areas. Despite measures taken to reduce incidents, mass abductions persisted, leaving agrarian communities deserted, disrupting food production, and driving food prices higher.
“The sustained payment of ransom fuelled the crime, as perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums,” he said.
According to Maj-Gen Laka, government was employing both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to combat the menace and had achieved significant results, which include rescuing hostages, neutralising, and arresting kidnap kingpins.
On efforts by the Centre to reduce the menace of kidnapping in 2025, he said the Centre would strengthen its counter-kidnapping initiatives, including operationalising the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell.
Laka added that the Centre would also improve collaborations with the 36 state governments, reinforce public confidence in government protection to discourage ransom payments, and engage state governments to address unemployment and economic vulnerabilities that drive individuals to crime.
“Communities affected by mass abductions must be supported to restore livelihoods and food production, preventing further socio-economic disruptions,” he said.
While urging Nigerians to have confidence in security agencies, Laka announced that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has facilitated an emergency response number, 112, for Nigerians to call when faced with security challenges.
Gen. Laka urged the public to report suspicious activities, crimes, and kidnappings by calling the toll-free number 112.
“The NCTC calls on all Nigerians to report suspicious activities, crimes, kidnappings, and other issues by calling the toll-free number 112, including the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell designated numbers that will be provided to the public,” he said.