The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has stressed the need for all Security, Intelligence and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to take responsibilities to protect lives and property of Nigerians.
The NSA, who was represented by the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (retd) stated this at the briefing of Service Chiefs and Heads of Agencies on the roadmap for the establishment of the proposed Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by Raphael Towoju on behalf of Director Strategic Communications NCTC, ONSA .
He noted the need for all stakeholders to come together to find a comprehensive solution to combat the menace of kidnap-for-ransom and other related crimes bedeviling the country.
Ribadu recalled that as part of the concerted efforts by his Office to address the menace of kidnapping in Nigeria, the first Security and Defense Partnership dialogue between the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria was held in London in February 2022. He added that one of the agreements reached during the Dialogue was the need to create an Anti-Kidnap Multi-Agency Fusion Cell to help stem the threats of Kidnapping in the country.
“So far, 8 Workshops have been held by personnel of relevant stakeholders working with experts of the UK National Crime Agency (NCA).
“The workshops culminated in the setting up of a multi-agency writing team to contribute to the formulation of a National Anti-Kidnapping Strategy,” he said.
The NSA expressed appreciation to the UK through the High Commissioner for the support provided in the nation’s efforts to tackle the issue of Kidnapping and other crimes in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Richard Montgomery, noted that the first duty of Government is the Security of its citizens and that issue of Kidnapping brings trauma to families. He assured of the commitment of the UK Government to the full implementation of the Security/Defence partnership between the two nations.
