According to the Nigeria Police Force, using social media to raise money for kidnapping and ransom is against the law and is punishable by the law.

This was said on Thursday, February 1st, 2024, by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, during a live Channels TV programme.

Adejobi emphasised that paying a ransom is illegal in Nigeria and that such acts demoralise police officers.

Adejobi also criticised crowdfunding on social media, saying it degrades the system and lowers morale.

Adejobi voiced worry about this new trend, saying that because kidnapping is seen to be profitable, it may encourage more Nigerians to join in it, thus escalating criminal activity.

He said, “Paying ransom is criminal in Nigeria, according to the provisions of our law. But the problem we have in most cases is that families of victims in most cases, don’t carry security operatives along.”

“They get scared because kidnappers always work on their psyche, ‘don’t tell security agents, don’t tell the police, if you do, we are going to kill your relations,’ and they kept quiet.

“It got to a stage where somebody did crowdfunding on social media; this will not help us in any way. It is criminal. It is not allowed. It is condemned. Even the Federal Government condemned it.”

Read also: Man Marries Three Women Same Day In Benue

“Crowdfunding is not allowed. How can you come on social media and tell people to gather money to go and rescue victims? It kills our morale; it kills the system. We should not encourage that.”

“The more we encourage payment of ransom, the more it makes that dirty business lucrative,” he added.

Former Minister Prof. Isa Pantami disclosed in January 2024 that a friend had promised to give N50 million towards the ransom that kidnappers were demanding in exchange for the release of five sisters, among them Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar.

Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, her five sisters, and their father were abducted from their home in the Federal Capital Territory’s Bwari Area Council.

The abductors killed Naheeba, claiming they would need to pay a ransom of N60 million to be freed.

Some people who have had family members kidnapped are now using social media to ask for financial assistance.

According to the Nigeria Police Force, using social media to raise money for kidnapping and ransom is against the law and is punishable.