THE National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu on Thursday said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has achieved over 80 percent success in anti-kidnaping operations.
He said the success was as a result of sacrifices of the security agencies and effective coordination by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Ribadu said this at the operationalization of the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The NSA said kidnapping remains one of the most pressing security threats in the country, which had caused untold hardship for countless families, disrupted economic activities, and posed a severe threat to our national stability.
He said: “Within a short period of time, in less than two years, we have achieved 80 percent success. But we don’t talk about it.
“We have soldiers and personnel of other security agencies who are in the bush, 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.
“This menace demands a robust, multi-agency approach, which the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell embodies.”
He charged the personnel of the fusion cell which were drawn from different security agencies and intelligence communities to use their expertise and rise to the occasion to combat the menace of kidnapping in the country.
Ribadu also charged them to embrace synergy, leverage the knowledge they had have acquired to ensure the Cell fulfills its mission to protect Nigerians 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,” he assured.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said Fusion Cell would serve as a “pivotal force in combating the menace of kidnapping by coordinating operational responses, analyzing data to track trends, and building the capacity of security personnel.”
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 NCTC for it to set up a kidnap fusion centre.
He said the outcome of the partnership culminated in the establishment of the cell with over 15 law enforcement agencies and stakeholders working together to fight kidnapping in the country.
Gen. Laka urged staff of the MAAKFC to be proficient in their roles and embrace the synergy that has been established through this initiative.
He said: “Let innovation guide your efforts as you implement the training and knowledge acquired and demonstrate the professional skills that have been nurtured throughout the process.
“You are entrusted with a critical responsibility, and I have no doubt that your collective efforts will be instrumental in making significant strides toward a safer Nigeria.”
The Operations Manager of the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom, Chris Crimsom, said the (MAAKFC) requires the cooperation of all Nigerians to succeed.
“With the buying-in of the public, with time we will see the results of what we do,” he said.