Ransom paid to kidnappers used to fund terrorism — FG

Forum 7 months ago

Ransom paid to kidnappers used to fund terrorism — FG

The Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (retd.), has revealed that kidnappers also use monies paid by relatives of abductees to finance terrorism.

Mr Musa made the development known on Wednesday in Abuja during the “Anti-Kidnap Multi-Agency Fusion Cell Media and Communication workshop,” organised by the ONSA in collaboration with the British High Commission.

“Kidnapping for ransom is also identified as one of the means of funding terrorism.

“You will agree with me that proceeds of kidnap for ransom enterprise have continued to serve as a platform for financing terrorism not only in Nigeria but across the Sahel,” Rear Admiral Musa (retd.) said, noting that kidnapping and terrorism were major concerns globally.

He further called for a concerted effort from the government, the international community and citizens to curb the menace, while noting that the workshop was necessary for the overall success of the government’s effort to curtail the menace of kidnapping.

The NCTC-ONSA Coordinator added that it was vital that the government and the media worked together to establish a framework of synergy and standardisation for reporting on security-related matters, noting that such collaboration would enhance the accuracy and quality of news reporting and contribute to national security.