The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC-ONSA), Adamu Laka, has raised the alarm that some Point of Sale (POS) operators are actively facilitating terrorist and kidnapping activities in Nigeria.
Speaking at a media parley with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Major General said ransom payments are increasingly routed through POS operators at the instruction of kidnappers, allowing criminals to receive and withdraw funds with ease.
“Another major challenge we face is the involvement of POS operators,” Laka said.
“In many cases, ransom payments are transferred by victims directly to POS operators whose account details are provided by terrorists. The money is then withdrawn by the criminals. We are addressing this and will not relent.”
General Laka also warned of emerging tactics by criminal networks, revealing that some individuals now orchestrate fake kidnappings using artificial intelligence, including voice-cloning technology, to impersonate victims and extort money from wealthy relatives.
He explained that certain operational details are deliberately withheld from the public, even after successful missions, to avoid compromising future security operations.
On the broader regional context, the NCTC coordinator linked the resurgence of terrorism to recent military coups in the Sahel, noting that security gains recorded towards the end of 2023 deteriorated following takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
According to him, terrorist groups operate seamlessly across borders, making regional cooperation critical.
“Nigeria must take leadership in West Africa and the Sahel. As long as neighbouring countries remain insecure, Nigeria will remain vulnerable,” he said.
Laka added that Nigeria’s economic strength also makes it an attractive target for criminal groups.
“Nigeria is the richest country in West Africa. It is one of the few places where kidnappers can demand ₦100 million and get it. That is why they come here to raise funds to sustain operations across the region.”
Despite the scale of the challenge, the General reassured Nigerians that security agencies remain committed to dismantling terrorist and kidnapping networks, urging citizens to support ongoing efforts.
“It is a difficult task, but we are doing our best. Nigerians must believe in us,” he said.
Linus Aleke
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