The Federal Government, through Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, with the support of the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, announced that it has reviewed its anti-kidnapping strategy and commenced the second phase of the expansion of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell to states.
The review, according to Federal Government, are part of efforts to strengthen intelligence sharing and improve operational coordination against kidnapping across the country.
The development, it was gathered, was arrived at during the inauguration of the Second Edition of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell State Expansion Programme and Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, 9 July, 2026 by the Head of Strategic Communication of NCTC-ONSA, Abu Michael.
According to the statement, the week-long programme, which runs from July 6 to July 10, brings together representatives of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as international partners, including the British High Commission, to assess progress, review operational procedures and strengthen Nigeria’s response to kidnapping.
Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, said kidnapping remained one of Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, requiring stronger collaboration among security agencies.
Laka, whose speech was delivered by the Director of Intelligence, Brig. Gen. Peter Gbor, said criminal groups had continued to evolve their tactics by exploiting technology and operating across multiple jurisdictions.
“Kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing security threats, with criminal groups increasingly employing sophisticated tactics, exploiting technology and operating across multiple jurisdictions.
“Confronting these evolving threats requires sustained inter-agency collaboration, timely intelligence-sharing and coordinated operational responses,” Laka said.
The NCTC coordinator said the establishment of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell had significantly enhanced intelligence integration, operational coordination, geospatial analysis and information sharing among security agencies.
While noting that the platform had contributed to the disruption of kidnapping networks, successful rescue operations and strengthened investigative capabilities, Laka, however, stressed that more work remained to be done, urging participants to use the stakeholders’ meeting to address existing operational gaps.
“While significant progress has been achieved, continuous collaboration remains essential to closing operational gaps exploited by criminal elements,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to “critically assess existing challenges, harmonise operational procedures, strengthen investigation and prosecution processes, and develop practical recommendations that will enhance Nigeria’s capacity to prevent kidnapping and protect its citizens.”
