The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), claims that point-of-sale (POS) operators facilitate ransom payments for terrorists and other criminal networks.
Major General Adamu Laka, the Centre’s National Coordinator, stated this on Tuesday during an end-of-year media briefing in Abuja.
Laka made the statement as a result of incessant kidnapping-for-ransom. Terrorist organisations have lately increased assaults in northern Nigeria, seizing vulnerable targets including youngsters and worshippers.
In November, Nigeria reported two distinct school abductions in Kebbi and Niger states. However, the detainees were eventually liberated.
Although the Nigerian government frowns on ransom payments to kidnappers, family of victims frequently pay ransoms to liberate the abducted individuals. There have also been reports that the government pays kidnappers to release certain victims, which the government denies.
Laka stated that investigations into abduction and terrorism-related incidents have revealed that ransom payments are made using POS terminals, allowing offenders to withdraw or transfer monies while avoiding discovery.
“In many cases, ransom payments are transferred by victims directly to POS operators whose account details are provided by terrorists,” he said. “The money is then withdrawn by the criminals.”
Laka said the situation is being addressed.
The NCTC also asked media groups to take caution when handling and disseminating sensitive security material, warning that premature disclosure might jeopardise operations and threaten lives.
Laka praised journalists’ professionalism, stating that responsible reporting has helped counter extremist propaganda, enhance public trust, and support the government’s will to combat terrorism, violent extremism, and other dangers to national stability.
However, he warned that in an age of quick news cycles and internet virality, the line between public interest and national security imperatives might become hazy.
“Operational details, intelligence-led activities and ongoing investigations are highly sensitive,” Laka said, warning that premature or detailed disclosure could undermine security efforts and inadvertently aid adversaries “who actively exploit open-source information.”
He emphasised that the centre was not advocating for quiet, but rather for responsibility and judgement in assessing what should be reported quickly and what should be handled with prudence in the sake of national security.
According to him, press freedom and national security are complimentary cornerstones of a strong democracy, and he emphasises the importance of balancing public knowledge with sensitive operational activities.
The NCTC also restated its commitment to ongoing interaction with the media via briefings, background sessions, and structured information exchange to ensure that reporting is accurate, contextual, and does not imperil security objectives.
Laka warned that premature disclosure could alert suspects, compromise investigations, or endanger operatives working to dismantle these networks.
“Open-source information is actively exploited by criminal groups,” he said, adding that the centre was not calling for silence but for responsible judgment in balancing public interest with national security.
According to him, press freedom and national security are complimentary cornerstones of a strong democracy, and he emphasises the importance of balancing public knowledge with sensitive operational activities.
