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Posted By Admin On December 11th, 2025

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.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/11/kidnapping-now-major-source-of-money-for-terrorists-nigerian-govt/