The Federal Government says kidnapping has grown from a small-scale crime into a major source of funding for criminal and terror groups across Nigeria.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop of the Multi-Agency
Kidnap Fusion Cell in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the National Counter
Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, explained that money from kidnappings
is helping armed groups buy weapons, maintain operations, and even control
territory in some areas.
According to him, the new initiative is aimed at improving
coordination, intelligence sharing, and joint operations to curb kidnapping
nationwide.
Laka said: “Nigeria continues to face serious security
challenges driven by terrorism, banditry, separatist agitation, and clashes
between farmers and herders. A common thread in all these is the widespread use
of kidnapping.”
He added that kidnapping, once a minor criminal act, has now
become a persistent and destabilising enterprise, enabling these groups to
procure logistics, perpetuate terror, and in some cases, exert territorial
control.
Laka explained that increasing concerns at home and abroad
led to a partnership between the Nigerian and UK governments, resulting in the
creation of the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell.
The centre, launched on 19 December 2024, coordinates
nationwide operations against kidnapping and supports Nigeria’s goal of
becoming a regional hub for counterterrorism.
He said the Cell has been successful, generating
intelligence that helped rescue hostages and disrupt kidnap gangs across the
country.
To improve results at the state level, the NCTC also
organised a training programme in July 2025 for Anti-Kidnap Commanders of the
police and DSS from all 36 states and the FCT.
Despite progress, Laka noted that more groups need to be
involved, including the media, telecom companies, and social media platforms.
He called on participants to bring forward practical ideas
to help rescue victims, break kidnap networks, and protect communities.
Acting British High Commissioner, Gill Lever said the UK
government is impressed with the centre’s achievements and will keep supporting
Nigeria’s counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping efforts.
Also speaking, Head of the UK’s National Crime Agency, Chris
Gibson, said strong cooperation among key agencies is vital. He urged Nigerians
to back government efforts, stressing that anti-kidnapping is a responsibility
of every citizen.
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