The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, says the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has achieved over 80 percent success in its anti-kidnaping operations and fight against other forms of insecurity.
Ribadu stated this Thursday in his remarks at the commissioning of the Multi-agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA).
“Within a short period of time, in less than two years, we have achieved 80 percent success. We don’t talk about it.
“The successes is as a result sacrifices of our security agencies some of whom are in the National Counter Terrorism Centre. They are some of best that we have.
” We have soldiers and personnel of other security agencies who are bushes, sacrificing their lives to make this country a better place ; to rescue it and take it back on track so that we will have a normal lives.
“They are the unsung heroes, people don’t talk about them. It is easy to say things but you don’t know what people are going through to get things done, ” he said.
The NSA lamented the negative impact of kidnapping in the society, noting that it has caused untold hardship to many families in Nigeria.
According to him, “As we all know, kidnapping remains one of the most pressing security threats in Nigeria today. It has caused untold hardship for countless families, disrupted economic activities, and posed a severe threat to our national stability.
“This menace demands a robust, multi-agency approach, which the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell embodies.”
He charged staff of the agency which were drawn from different security agencies and intelligence community to use their expertise and rise to the occasion to combat the menace of Kidnapping in the country.
He urged them to work in synergy, adding that the government will provide all the resources they need to succeed.
“To the staff of the Fusion Cell, I am happy to note that this is a cocktail of proficiency from various Services, security agencies and intelligence community, which has been what we have always advocated for.
” I urge you to draw from the expertise of each other and rise to the occasion. The training and resources you received have prepared you for this critical task, and I expect nothing but professionalism, dedication, and innovation in your work.
” Embrace synergy, leverage the knowledge you have acquired, and ensure that this Cell fulfills its mission to protect our people and communities.
The federal government recognizes the importance of your work, and I remain committed to providing the resources and backing needed to enable you to succeed.”
Earlier in his remarks, the the National Coordinator NCTC-ONSA, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, said Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell would coordinate all kidnap for ransom rescue and prevention exercises and operations.
He urged members of the public to report all Kidnap incidents to the center, saying it is well equipped to tackle all kidnapping issues.
Answering questions from journalists on ransom being paid by Nigerians to kidnappers, Laka said most Nigerians do not report Kidnap cases to security agencies until it gets out of hands.
” I won’t deny that Nigerians pay ransom to kidnappers, they do. The issue is that they report to us until it gets out of hand. Many of them pay ransom once, twice and even three times to kidnappers.
” When their family members are not released after paying ransom multiple times they now report to us and we rescue them.”
He said the centre is adopting new strategies to stem the tide of kidnapping but would not revealed them for security reasons.
Laka said that between 2022 and 2024, the United Kingdom, through the National Crime Agency (NCA) has partnered with the office of the National Security Adviser to provide capacity-building exercises as well as support to the National Counter-terrorism Center in a bid to set up a kidnap fusion centre.
He added that the output of this partnership led to a multi agency approach with over 15 law enforcement agencies and stakeholders working together to fight kidnapping in Nigeria.
Major General Laka further said that the United Kingdom and Nigeria enjoy a deep and long-standing security and defence relationship, underpinned by shared history, mutual trust and shared Commonwealth principles of democratic governance and respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as a shared desire to support regional and international peace and security. Hence, the inaugural UK-Nigeria SDP Dialogue signed by the two National Security Advisors of the two countries between 31st January and 2nd February, 2022.
The National Coordinator commended all the law enforcement agencies for working together to build capacity for the fusion cell, as well as the efforts in putting together a Terms of Reference and Standard Operation Procedure to guide the activities of the cell.
He however emphasized that the fusion cell is a 24/7 coordination centre and not an operational outfit which could duplicate efforts.
While giving a background on the Security Defence Partnership, NCA Operations Manager, Chris Grimson thanked the Nigerian government for the partnership and stressed the importance of having solutions tailored to the needs of Nigeria and implemented by Nigerians.
