FG Introduces Emergency Helpline to Combat Kidnapping
The Federal Government has launched the free-to-use 112 emergency number for Nigerians to call in the event of kidnappings and other security-related incidents. This toll-free hotline is intended to facilitate swift response from security agencies, in an effort to improve the government’s ability to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, disclosed 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 said, “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.
“Kidnapping for ransom remains a critical challenge requiring collective and intensified efforts by all stakeholders. While significant progress was achieved in 2024, sustained commitment and innovative approaches are imperative to mitigate the menace in 2025.”
Laka disclosed that while there has been a promising decline in kidnapping-for-ransom incidents of 16.3% between 2023 and 2024, the number of victims in these incidents has slightly risen by 0.27% during the same period.
According to him, the states with the highest incidence rates of kidnapping-for-ransom were found to be Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara, located in the North-West region of Nigeria. Together, these states were reported to account for a staggering 13.8% of all kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in the country and a disconcerting 61.1% of the total victims nationwide.
In his statement, “Trends in 2024 showed that kidnappings occurred in both rural and urban areas, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential areas.
“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.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Major General Laka stated that the government would be bolstering and widening its efforts to combat kidnapping for ransom throughout all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with the intention of preventing future incidents and safeguarding the safety and security of its citizens nationwide.
