NYCN seeks criminalisation of ransom payments to end kidnappings in Nigeria

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has urged security authorities to urgently criminalise and enforce laws against ransom payments to end kidnappings in Nigeria.

This was contained in an open letter on Saturday in Kaduna by the NYCN National President, Isah Abubakar, addressed to the National Security Adviser (NSA) and other top security officials.

The letter, dated Jan 3, 2026, was also copied to the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and the Inspector-General of Police.

Abubakar said he wrote on behalf of the NYCN and millions of Northern youths bearing the brunt of insecurity ravaging communities.

He said that in spite of efforts by gallant security forces, kidnapping remained profitable due to continuous ransom payments by desperate citizens and corporate bodies.

The NYCN called on the security authorities to take a decisive stand by strictly enforcing laws against ransom payments.

Abubakar emphasised that ransom payments provide the “oxygen of banditry” and sustain the kidnapping industry.

He said every ransom paid enables bandits to buy weapons, fund logistics, and recruit more fighters.

The NYCN president stressed that paying ransom inadvertently subsidises terrorism and national destruction.

He demanded immediate gazetting and publicisation of existing legal frameworks criminalising ransom payments.

Abubakar insisted that such laws must not remain on paper but be widely known to all Nigerians.

According to him, applying the law without fear or favour is the only way to break the demand-and-supply cycle.

Abubakar urged intelligence-led rescue operations using drones, signal interceptors, and rapid response teams.

He said advanced technology must replace financial negotiations in rescuing kidnapped victims.

Abubakar said companies paying ransoms should instead invest in private security partnerships and state-led protection schemes.

He acknowledged the emotional trauma families face when loved ones are abducted.

He, however, warned that private ransom payments create a larger public catastrophe.

Abubakar appealed to Nigerians to collectively refuse enriching criminals through ransom payments.

He said the NYCN was ready to partner with the NSA to sensitise grassroots communities.

Abubakar said that history would judge Nigeria by the courage shown in 2026 to end the marketplace of human misery.

He called for criminal liability against families, corporate organisations, and associations that negotiate or pay ransoms.

He also called for corporate accountability in addressing kidnapping threats.