The Federal Government has activated the toll-free 112 emergency number for Nigerians to report kidnappings and other security threats.

The initiative is part of efforts to tackle the growing menace of ransom-driven abductions.

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 stated that Nigeria recorded a 16.3% decrease in kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in 2024 compared to 2023, although the number of victims increased slightly by 0.27%.

He noted that Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states in the North-West accounted for the highest prevalence, with 13.8% of total incidents and 61.1% of victims nationwide.

He explained that bandits, terrorists, cultists, militants, and secessionist groups continued to exploit kidnapping for financial gain and to fund illicit activities.

“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.”

Laka said the government implemented both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to combat the menace, achieving significant results, including rescuing hostages, neutralising and arresting kidnapping kingpins, and destroying kidnappers’ hideouts.

In 2025, he said the government would strengthen and expand counter-kidnapping initiatives across all geo-political zones.

“The government projects that kidnapping for ransom will persist in 2025 due to its financial incentives. To counter this, authorities aim to strengthen counter-kidnapping initiatives, expand efforts to all six geo-political regions, improve collaboration with the 36 state governments, reinforce public confidence in government protection to discourage ransom payments, and engage state governments to address unemployment and economic vulnerabilities that drive individuals to crime,” Laka stated.

givedemwotowoto:
They always go to the media to tell us what they’re set to achieve, but they never come back to tell us what they have achieved! It’s called propaganda!

If a contractor comes to pitch a proposal for you to renovate your house and make it beautiful, and you pay them in full, next year, they come again with a new proposal when they haven’t even done the first one they were paid for, will you hire them again?

Cj4charles:
Tackle Hardship and Hunger you guys brought to the land and watch Kidnapping drop to it minimal. Many of them went into it because of the unbearable hardship APC brought.. It has never been this bad since the formation of Nigerian

Putindbutt:

Keep quiet abeg, NBS releases statistics quarterly to inform the public and give feedbacks. Itchy mouths just want to talk, ignorant folks.

givedemwotowoto:


So you need NBS to know whether policies are working for you and your family? Keep deceiving yourself

TimeManager:


https://punchng.com/fg-unveils-emergency-hotline-to-tackle-kidnapping/?amp

Putindbutt:

Do you know how long ago there have been Kidnapping?, abi you were born just yesterday. A criminal will always be a criminal, using hunger as an excuse. You need to stop before the law catches up with you.

TimeManager:
If you make a prank calls, you would be seriously dealt with.


-Kiss the truth!

Cj4charles:
Tackle Hardship and Hunger you guys brought to the land and watch Kidnapping drop to it minimal. Many of them went into it because of the unbearable hardship APC brought.. It has never been this bad since the formation of Nigerian

TimeManager:


https://punchng.com/fg-unveils-emergency-hotline-to-tackle-kidnapping/?amp

TimeManager:
If you make a prank calls, you would be seriously dealt with.


-Kiss the truth!