The Nigerian government has activated a toll-free emergency number, 112, to help citizens report kidnappings and other security threats, marking a significant step in tackling the growing issue of ransom-driven abductions.
The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Laka, announced this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
Laka said that the toll-free number, facilitated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), would assist Nigerians in reporting suspicious activities and crimes. “Kidnapping for ransom remains a critical challenge requiring collective and intensified efforts by all stakeholders,” he said. “We urge citizens to call 112 for any incidents of kidnapping or other threats.”
The initiative comes after a 16.3% decrease in kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year. However, Laka noted that the number of victims had slightly increased by 0.27%, with Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states in the North-West seeing the highest prevalence. These regions accounted for 13.8% of all incidents, with 61.1% of victims nationwide.
Laka highlighted that bandits, terrorists, and other criminal groups continue to exploit kidnapping for financial gain. Despite progress in 2024, he warned that the crime remains financially lucrative.
To combat this, the government plans to expand counter-kidnapping initiatives and improve collaboration with state governments. “We must continue to innovate and strengthen efforts in 2025,” he added.
