By Bavoriat Clara
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (UK-NCA), has launched the State Expansion Programme for the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MACFC).
The press briefing, held at the NCTC headquarters in Abuja, focused on strengthening coordination between the central anti-kidnap Fusion Cell and state-level security agencies across Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, the National Coordinator for the MACFC State Expansion Programme, Major General Adamu Laka, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between national-level coordination and state-level operational response. He noted that while the MACFC, commissioned in December 2024, has supported rescue efforts and disrupted kidnapping networks, a stronger presence at the state level is critical for effective intelligence sharing, faster response times, and operational synergy.
He said the programme includes the deployment of anti-kidnap liaison officers from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. These officers will serve as operational links between the Fusion Cell in Abuja and security commands at the state level.
In her remarks, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Gill Lever, OBE, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping. She explained that the MACFC was created through close cooperation with Nigerian stakeholders and is designed to meet the country’s specific security needs.
Lever said the ongoing training in Abuja for kidnap response officers across all states is part of efforts to ensure interoperability between the national Fusion Cell and state-level units. Officers are also being trained on an IT-based case management system that allows real-time updates between state commands and the MACFC.
She added that the programme will eventually integrate the Fusion Cell into the 112 national emergency response system to enable faster reporting of kidnap cases. She also revealed plans for a nationwide awareness campaign on kidnapping and security reporting.
Lever expressed condolences to the people of Jigawa State following a recent kidnapping incident in which several victims were killed despite ransom payments. She described the incident as a tragic example of the urgent need to improve anti-kidnap efforts across Nigeria.
The State Expansion Programme is part of the broader UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, aimed at enhancing joint responses to security threats through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and sustained collaboration.
The event was attended by security stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, the UK-NCA, and anti-kidnap officers from across the federation.
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