A recent report by SBM Intelligence reveals that Nigerians paid a staggering ₦1.04 billion in ransom to kidnappers over the past year.
The report covers the period from July 2023 to June 2024, highlighting a troubling trend in abductions and ransom payments across the country.
According to the report, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) saw the highest ransom demands, with Lagos and Kaduna following closely behind. The Southeast region had the highest overall ransom paid and collection rate when analyzed by geopolitical zones.
SBM Intelligence’s research indicates that at least 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 separate incidents during the reviewed period. Kidnappers demanded approximately ₦10.995 billion (around $6.87 million) in ransom but only received ₦1.048 billion, which represents just 9.5% of the total amount demanded. This suggests a shift in the kidnappers’ approach, with less targeted victim selection.
The report also noted that Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states experienced the highest number of kidnapping incidents and victims. Zamfara recorded 132 incidents with 1,639 victims, Kaduna had 113 incidents with 1,113 victims, and Katsina reported 119 incidents with 887 victims. These states also had the highest number of civilian deaths related to kidnapping, with a total of 1,056 people killed in the reported incidents.
The firm highlighted that kidnapping has become increasingly lethal, with an average of one person killed per attempted abduction. Additionally, kidnappers have continued to demand various in-kind payments from victims’ families, including food, drinks, cigarettes in the South, and motorcycles in the North.
The report also notes a concerning trend: more than four ransom bearers have been killed, and three others abducted this year. This increasing violence may discourage people from delivering ransoms on behalf of victims in the future.
