In a bid to address the escalating kidnapping crisis across Nigeria, the Federal Government has introduced a toll-free emergency hotline, 112, for citizens to report abductions and other security threats.
The initiative, unveiled by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), aims to curb the rising tide of ransom-driven kidnappings that have plagued the nation.
Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, announced the new measure during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday. He emphasized the importance of public participation in tackling the kidnapping menace, urging Nigerians to utilize the hotline to report suspicious activities and crimes.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission has facilitated the 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,” Laka stated.
He highlighted that kidnapping for ransom remains a significant challenge, requiring collective and innovative efforts from all stakeholders.
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While Nigeria recorded a 16.3% decrease in kidnapping incidents in 2024 compared to 2023, the number of victims saw a slight increase of 0.27%. The North-West region, particularly Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states, accounted for the highest prevalence, with 13.8% of total incidents and 61.1% of victims nationwide.
Laka explained that various criminal groups, including bandits, terrorists, cultists, militants, and secessionist factions, continue 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,” he said.
The persistent abductions have led to deserted agrarian communities, disrupted food production, and contributed to rising food prices. Laka noted that the continued payment of ransoms has further fueled the crime, as perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums.
To combat the menace, the government has implemented both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, achieving significant results, including the rescue of hostages, the neutralization and arrest of kidnapping kingpins, and the destruction of kidnappers’ hideouts.
Looking ahead to 2025, Laka outlined plans to strengthen and expand counter-kidnapping initiatives across all six 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,” he stated.
The launch of the 112 emergency hotline marks a critical step in government’s efforts to enhance public safety and combat the kidnapping epidemic. However, the success of this initiative will depend on the active participation of citizens and the sustained commitment of all stakeholders to address the root causes of the crisis.
As Nigeria grapples with this persistent threat, the hope is that the new measures will bring relief to affected communities and restore a sense of security across the nation.
