Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Monday, said that an estimated N5billion has been paid as ransom to kidnappers since 2016.
Kalu, who disclosed this at the opening of the naytional Dialogue on State Policing organised by the House of Representatives, said the figure starkly revealed the alarming growth of the criminal enterprise in Nigeria.
He said the 2024 Global Terrorism Index painted a worrying picture, ranking Nigeria fourth in Sub-Saharan Africa and eighth globally amongst countries most impacted by terrorism.
The lawmaker said, “These statistics underscore the urgent need for a multi-layered policing
approach that prioritizes local security and enables a more responsive policing environment in Nigeria.”
He recalled that the critical conversation on state policing gained significant momentum following an emergency meeting in February 2024 between President Bola Tinubu and Governors at the Aso Rock Villa.
Kalu explained that the gathering highlighted state policing as a national priority, reflecting a deep understanding of the need for a new approach to tackling insecurity.
The Deputy Speaker further said Nigerians are understandably divided in their proposed solutions to the nation’s security challenges, saying, “One school of thought advocates a return to multi-layered policing.”