Nigeria recorded a 16.3% decrease in kidnapping for ransom incidents in 2024.
Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Laka noted that while kidnapping for ransom remained a significant security threat, the federal government’s intensified efforts had led to notable improvements.
He revealed that despite the overall decline, the total number of incidents increased slightly by 0.27%, with Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara accounting for the highest prevalence—13.8% of total incidents and 61.1% of victims.
“Kidnappings occurred in both rural and urban areas, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential communities,” Laka said.
He acknowledged that mass abductions continued to disrupt agrarian communities, drive up food prices, and undermine national security.
The persistent payment of ransoms, he added, had further fueled the crime, as kidnappers exploited families’ desperation to demand exorbitant sums.
The federal government, he said, had adopted both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, leading to the rescue of hostages and the arrest or neutralization of kidnapping kingpins.
He added that Efforts have also expanded nationwide, with increased collaboration between the federal and state governments to improve security and reduce ransom payments.