The Federal Government has activated the toll-free 112 emergency number, which allows Nigerians to report kidnappings and other security threats. The project is part of an effort to combat the growing problem of ransom-driven abductions.
Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, revealed this during a press briefing on the activities of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell under the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja on Thursday.
He stated, “The Nigerian Communications Commission has facilitated an emergency response number, 112.”
The NCTC calls on all Nigerians to report suspicious activities, crimes, and kidnappings by calling the toll-free number 112, including the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell’s designated numbers that will be provided to the public.
“While significant progress was made in 2024, sustained commitment and innovative approaches are imperative to mitigate the menace in 2025.”
According to Laka, Nigeria saw a 16.3% decrease in kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in 2024 compared to 2023, although the number of victims increased slightly by 0.27%.
The North-West states of Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara accounted for the highest prevalence, accounting for 13.8% of all incidents and 61.1% of victims nationwide.
“Trends in 2024 showed that kidnappings occurred in both rural and urban areas, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential areas.”
He explained that bandits, terrorists, cultists, militants, and secessionist groups continued to use kidnapping as a means of finance and financial gain.
“Despite efforts to curb the menace, mass abductions persisted, leading to deserted agrarian communities, disruptions in food production, and rising food prices.”
“The sustained payment of ransom continued to fuel the crime, as perpetrators exploited families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums.”
Laka stated that the government used both kinetic and non-kinetic means to confront the threat, achieving important accomplishments such as rescuing hostages, neutralizing and arresting kidnapping kingpins, and demolishing kidnappers’ hideouts.
In 2025, he stated that the government would intensify and expand counter-kidnapping efforts throughout all geopolitical zones.
“The government predicts that kidnapping for ransom will continue in 2025 due to financial incentives.
To combat this, authorities intend to strengthen counter-kidnapping initiatives, expand efforts to all six geopolitical regions, improve collaboration with the 36 state governments, boost public trust in government protection to discourage ransom payments, and engage state governments in addressing unemployment and economic vulnerabilities that drive individuals to crime,” Laka stated.