The Federal Government has raised serious concern over the growing link between kidnapping and terrorist financing across the country.
Officials say kidnapping, which many once viewed as a random criminal act, has now grown into a major financial engine for violent groups operating in Nigeria.
This warning was issued on Wednesday in Abuja during a Stakeholders Workshop organised for the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, explained that kidnapping has now become one of the most reliable revenue channels for criminal and extremist groups.
He stated that ransom payments have empowered these networks to purchase arms, strengthen their logistics, and sustain coordinated attacks across several regions.
According to him, “As we are all aware, Nigeria continues to grapple with a broad spectrum of security challenges driven by terrorism, banditry, separatist violence, and farmer-herder clashes. A common trend across these threats is the pervasive use of kidnapping.”
Maj. Gen. Laka noted that what used to be a crime of opportunity has now transformed into a sophisticated and lucrative enterprise.
He added that this shift has allowed criminal groups to deepen their influence in rural and semi-urban areas, with some gaining enough resources to challenge state authority.
“What was once an opportunistic crime has become a persistent and destabilising enterprise, enabling these groups to procure logistics, perpetuate terror, and, in some cases, exert territorial control,” he said.
Laka explained that concerns over worsening kidnapping cases prompted Nigeria and the United Kingdom to jointly establish the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell housed at the NCTC.
The centre, inaugurated by the National Security Adviser on 19 December 2024, was created to improve intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and rapid response across security agencies.
He highlighted that since it began operations, the Cell has brought together the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement units to track syndicates, disrupt planned abductions, and rescue victims.
He said analysts working within the Cell have successfully produced intelligence that led to arrests, dismantling of kidnap networks, and recovery of hostages in multiple states.
To improve its reach, the NCTC also conducted a nationwide expansion programme in July 2025, involving Anti-Kidnap Commanders of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of the Department of State Services from all 36 states and the FCT.
However, despite the recorded gains, Laka stressed that the current security environment requires wider collaboration.
He said the anti-kidnap framework can only be fully effective when supported by media organisations, telecom operators, and social media platforms.
Laka urged participants at the workshop to develop practical solutions that can boost rescues, weaken kidnapping rings, and enhance early-warning systems for communities.
He also emphasised the need for constant synergy with the Fusion Cell to support ongoing operations across the country.
Also speaking, the Acting High Commissioner of the British High Commission, Gill Lever, commended the progress recorded by the centre.
She said the UK government is impressed with the impact of the Fusion Cell and remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and kidnapping.
Head of the UK’s National Crime Agency, Chris Gibson, also stressed the need for strong cooperation among all agencies.
He advised Nigerians to continue backing the government’s counter-kidnap initiatives, reminding citizens that “anti-kidnapping is a responsibility of every citizen.”
Kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing security threats, with criminal groups increasingly relying on ransom payments to sustain their operations.
The government is banking on stronger intelligence fusion, international partnerships, and a multi-layered response system to curb the menace.