The Federal Government has revealed that Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states recorded the highest cases of kidnapping for ransom in 2024, accounting for 13.8 per cent of total incidents and 61.1 per cent of all victims.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, made this known on Thursday while briefing journalists in Abuja on the activities of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell.
He noted that kidnapping for ransom remained a major security challenge in 2024, with non-state actors, including bandits, terrorists, cultists, militants, and secessionist groups, using it to fund criminal activities.
“As a result of efforts by the current administration under the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in 2024, Nigeria recorded a 16.3 per cent decrease in incidents compared to 2023,” Laka stated.
“The number of incidents increased slightly by 0.27 per cent, with Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara in the North-west accounting for the highest prevalence, with 13.8 per cent of total incidents and 61.1 per cent victims of the total recorded cases.”
He explained that kidnapping incidents in 2024 mostly occurred in rural and urban communities, with attacks targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential areas.
Despite improvements, he warned that the menace remained a serious threat to national security, disrupting economic activities, forcing agrarian communities to flee, and driving up food prices.
He noted that the continued payment of ransom has also fuelled the crime, as perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums.
Government’s Response
To combat the menace, Laka revealed that the federal government had employed both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, resulting in hostage rescues and the neutralisation and arrest of kidnapping kingpins. However, he admitted that criminals continue to adapt, strengthening their operations with proceeds from ransom payments.
Looking ahead to 2025, Laka projected that kidnapping for ransom would persist due to its financial incentives. However, he assured that counter-kidnapping efforts have been expanded nationwide, with stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to reinforce public confidence and discourage ransom payments.
The NCTC is also engaging state governments to address unemployment and economic vulnerabilities, which contribute to crime, while calling for support to affected communities to restore livelihoods and food production.
“Kidnapping for ransom remains a critical challenge requiring collective and intensified efforts by all stakeholders,” he said. “While significant progress was achieved in 2024, sustained commitment and innovative approaches are imperative to mitigate the menace in 2025.”
Call for Public Support
Laka further disclosed that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has facilitated a toll-free emergency response number, 112, for Nigerians to report suspicious activities, crimes, and kidnappings.
“The NCTC calls on all Nigerians to report suspicious activities, crimes, kidnapping, among others, by calling the toll-free number 112,” he said.
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