The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has announced that kidnapping for ransom cases in Nigeria is expected to significantly decrease by the end of 2025.
This follows a 16.3% drop in kidnapping cases in 2024 compared to the previous year, thanks to the efforts of the country’s security forces.
According to Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of NCTC, the success is attributed to the renewed efforts of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC).
However, Laka noted that despite the decrease in kidnapping incidents, the number of victims slightly increased in 2024.
The NCTC boss emphasised that kidnapping for ransom remains a significant security challenge, exploited by non-state actors for financial gain and funding illicit activities.
The Nigerian government has been working to address the issue, with efforts focused on enhancing security measures and combating terrorism.
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