By Dansu Peter In a bid to strengthen national security, the Federal Government has introduced a toll-free emergency helpline—112—for Niger...
By Dansu Peter
The announcement was made by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Laka, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, February 6. He highlighted the initiative as part of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell's efforts under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission has facilitated an emergency response number, 112. The NCTC urges all Nigerians to report suspicious activities, crimes, and kidnappings by dialing this toll-free line. Additionally, dedicated numbers from the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell will be made available for public use,” Laka stated.
He emphasized that while the country recorded a 16.3% decline in kidnapping-for-ransom incidents between 2023 and 2024, the number of victims in such cases slightly increased by 0.27% within the same period.
According to Laka, Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states—located in the North-West region—were identified as the most affected, accounting for 13.8% of all reported kidnapping-for-ransom cases and a staggering 61.1% of total victims nationwide.
“Trends in 2024 indicate that kidnappings occurred in both rural and urban areas, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential zones. Despite security interventions, mass abductions persisted, leading to the displacement of farming communities, disruptions in food production, and rising food prices. The continuous payment of ransom remained a driving force behind the crime, as perpetrators exploited families' fears to demand exorbitant sums,” he added.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping and related crimes through collaborative security measures and technological innovations.
No comments