Nigeria Achieves 80% Success Rate against Kidnapping NSA
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday said security agencies have achieved an 80 per cent success rate in combating kidnapping over the past two years. Ribadu made this revelation during the inauguration of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell established in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s
National Crime Agency in Abuja on Thursday. “Within a short period, I can say less than two years, we are achieving 80 per cent success, but we do not often talk about it,” he said.
His comments came despite a report by the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that Nigerians paid over N2.2 trillion in ransom in 2024. The report also revealed that 2.2 million Nigerians were kidnapped, while 614,937 were killed in the same year. Ribadu acknowledged that kidnapping remains one of the most pressing security challenges in Nigeria and globally, describing the launch of the MAAKFC as a major milestone in the nation’s fight against kidnapping. “As we all know, kidnapping is one of the gravest threats to Nigeria’s security today. It has caused untold hardship for countless families, disrupted economic activities, and posed a serious risk to national stability. This menace demands a robust, multi-agency approach, which the MAAKFC represents,” Ribadu stated.
He urged members of the cell to utilize their training and resources to ensure the safety of Nigerians. “The training and resources you have received prepare you for this critical task. I expect professionalism, dedication, and innovation in your work. Collaborate effectively, apply your expertise, and ensure the Cell fulfills its mission to protect our people and communities,” Ribadu added.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka, highlighted that the MAAKFC was established following the Security Defence Partnership Dialogue between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in 2022. “Between 2022 and 2024, the UK, through the National Crime Agency, partnered with Nigeria to provide capacity-building exercises and resources for the creation of the fusion cell. The initiative involves over 15 law enforcement agencies and stakeholders collaborating to address the kidnapping crisis,” he added.
Laka emphasised the strong security and defense relationship between Nigeria and the UK, rooted in shared values and mutual trust. The partnership, he noted, aims to promote regional and international peace and security. While commending law enforcement agencies for their efforts in developing the fusion cell’s Terms of Reference and Standard Operating Procedure, Laka clarified that the cell operates as a 24/7 coordination center rather than an operational outfit to avoid duplicating efforts.
Credit: Punch
