Kidnapping for ransom will decline by year-end, NCTC assures

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Thursday assured that kidnapping for ransom cases would fizzle out in the country by the end of the year, as the menace had dropped by 16.3 percent in 2024 through the renewed efforts of the nation’s security forces compared to the previous year.

National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, stated this in Abuja while speaking with journalists on the renewed efforts of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) to end the menace.

Gen. Laka, who noted that while kidnapping incidents have reduced, the number of victims increased by 0.27 percent in 2024, pointed out that Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara were the states with the highest kidnapping incidents during the period under review.

The NCTC boss, who was flanked by other directors of the Centre, said the successes were a result of efforts by the current administration under the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

However, he regretted 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.”

He explained that a trend analysis had revealed that the sustained payment of ransom fuelled kidnapping, adding that perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant ransoms.

“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,” he said.

“The sustained payment of ransom fuelled the crime, as perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums.”

He further explained that the 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 kidnapping 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 Nigerian Communications Commission has facilitated an emergency response 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.

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.

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