Federal Government has introduced a toll-free 112 emergency helpline for Nigerians to report cases of kidnapping and other security threats.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Laka, announced this development during a press briefing on Thursday, February 6, in Abuja.
The initiative, facilitated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), aims to enhance coordination in tackling kidnapping and other crimes.
Laka urged citizens to utilize the emergency number to report suspicious activities, stating that the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) will also provide additional designated numbers for public use.
“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,” he said.
According to the NCTC, incidents of kidnapping-for-ransom declined by 16.3% between 2023 and 2024. However, the number of victims saw a slight increase of 0.27% within the same period.
The North-West region remains the hardest hit, with Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states accounting for 13.8% of all kidnapping-for-ransom incidents and a staggering 61.1% of victims nationwide.
Laka highlighted that kidnappings occurred across rural and urban areas, including villages, schools, highways, and residential areas.
Despite security measures, mass abductions have persisted, causing agrarian communities to be abandoned, disrupting food production, and contributing to rising food prices.
He also noted that the continued payment of ransom emboldens perpetrators.