Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has raised serious concerns over a growing and disturbing trend in the country’s kidnapping crisis, revealing that some Nigerians now stage their own abductions to collect ransom from their families.
Ribadu made this known while addressing the worsening internal security situation in the country.
He said the challenge goes beyond armed criminal gangs, pointing fingers at citizens who actively aid kidnappers or deliberately fabricate kidnapping incidents for personal financial gain.
According to the NSA, security agencies have uncovered several cases where supposed victims were not forcefully abducted but were instead willing participants in the crime.
He explained that some individuals collaborate with friends or acquaintances to create false kidnapping scenarios, all aimed at extorting money from unsuspecting relatives.
“We are talking about the population informing the kidnappers,” the NSA said. “When we are even having situations whereby people arrange with themselves to kidnap themselves to collect ransom from their families.”
Ribadu disclosed that such cases have already been confirmed by security operatives during investigations. He narrated instances where young people deliberately planned their own abduction, using trusted friends to deceive their parents and relatives.
“I have seen situations whereby a boy arranged with his friends to kidnap him so that his father can pay the ransom,” he added.
The NSA also raised alarm over the increasing role of technology in these fake kidnapping schemes. He noted that artificial intelligence tools are now being used to clone voices and create distress calls that sound convincingly real to family members.
“Some will even arrange themselves. There are AI tools where you can change your voice. You say you have been kidnapped, ask for ransom, you pay yourself and then you reappear,” he said.
He warned that this dangerous trend is complicating national security efforts and weakening public confidence, as families are now left confused about whether ransom demands are genuine or staged.
Ribadu stressed that community complicity remains one of the biggest challenges in tackling kidnapping across the country. He said some residents provide critical information, logistics and safe cover for criminal operations, making it harder for security agencies to respond effectively.
The NSA called for a change in public attitude, urging Nigerians to see security as a collective responsibility. He emphasized the need for renewed public enlightenment, vigilance and stronger cooperation with law enforcement agencies to curb both real and staged kidnappings.
“I think there is a need for us to resuscitate the population,” Ribadu said, as he appealed to citizens to stop aiding criminal activities that worsen insecurity nationwide.