Nigeria TV Info — SECURITY / NATIONAL AFFAIRS

POS Operators Aiding Terrorism, Kidnapping in Nigeria — NCTC

The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, has raised serious concerns over the involvement of some Point of Sale (POS) operators in facilitating terrorism and kidnapping activities across Nigeria.

Speaking during a media parley with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, General Laka disclosed that ransom payments demanded by kidnappers are increasingly being routed through POS operators, making it easier for criminal networks to receive and withdraw funds.

According to him, victims or their relatives are often instructed by kidnappers to transfer ransom money directly into POS operators’ accounts, after which the funds are quickly withdrawn and delivered to the criminals.

“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 The money is then withdrawn by the criminals.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.”

The NCTC boss warned that security agencies are intensifying efforts to track suspicious financial transactions and clamp down on individuals and networks aiding criminal activities through financial channels.

General Laka also drew attention to emerging tactics used by criminal groups, revealing that some syndicates now stage fake kidnappings using artificial intelligence tools. He said these criminals employ voice-cloning technology to impersonate victims, deceiving wealthy relatives into paying ransoms for kidnappings that never occurred.

He urged the public to exercise caution, verify distress calls, and promptly report suspicious financial requests and activities to security agencies, as the government strengthens its counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping strategies nationwide.