FG Unveils Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnapping Programme to End Abductions

The Federal Government has launched a Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnapping Programme aimed at tackling Nigeria’s rising abduction crisis.

The Federal Government has launched the State Expansion Programme of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell, aiming to enhance collaboration between national security institutions and state-level commands in tackling Nigeria’s growing kidnapping crisis.

Speaking at the official launch in Abuja, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), described the initiative as “a mission, not just a meeting”, emphasizing its role in bridging the gap between national coordination and ground-level intelligence.

“Kidnapping in Nigeria has evolved from occasional crimes into a sophisticated criminal enterprise,” Laka warned, noting the involvement of organized networks with links to terrorist and armed groups that now use ransom payments to fund weapons, logistics, and territorial control.

The Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell, established with support from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, has played a critical role in disrupting kidnapping syndicates, supporting rescue operations, and improving intelligence sharing among Nigeria’s security agencies.

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However, Laka stressed that national efforts alone are insufficient.

“Too often, real-time intelligence and operational readiness are held at the state level. This programme is designed to strengthen early warning systems, intelligence flow, and rapid response,” he said.

The State Expansion Programme, under the supervision of National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is part of a broader push for a unified, intelligence-led approach to counter kidnapping. The event brought together key security stakeholders, who will engage in multi-day sessions to exchange field experiences, address challenges, and build lasting operational synergy.

Gratitude was extended to the UK Government, the National Crime Agency, and institutional partners for their support. Laka concluded by declaring the programme open, envisioning a Nigeria where “no family lives under the threat of abduction, and no community is held hostage by fear.”