Nigerians paid ₦1.04 billion in ransom to kidnappers over the course of a year, according to a new report by SBM Intelligence.
The security analysis firm reported that between July 2023 and June 2024, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had the highest ransom demands, followed closely by Lagos and Kaduna.
“Comparing geopolitical zones, the Southeast recorded the highest overall ransom payments and collection rates,” SBM noted.
The report revealed that during the review period, at least 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 incidents across the country.
Kidnappers demanded a total of ₦10.99 billion (approximately $6.87 million) in ransom but received only ₦1.048 billion, representing just 9.5% of the amount demanded. This suggests that kidnappers have become less selective in targeting victims.
Among the 1,130 reported kidnapping cases, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina had the highest numbers of incidents and victims. Zamfara reported 132 events with 1,639 victims, Kaduna 113 incidents with 1,113 victims, and Katsina 119 incidents with 887 victims.
These three states also had the highest number of civilian deaths. The survey found that kidnapping has gotten increasingly fatal, with 1,056 persons died in 1,130 documented incidents.
On average, the report found, someone is killed each time a kidnapping attempt is made.
As in past years, kidnappers have demanded in-kind payments from victims’ relatives, which range from food, drinks, and cigarettes in the South to motorcycles in the North.
The report also noted that more than four ransom bearers have been killed and three others abducted this year. If this trend continues, it could become increasingly difficult to find people willing to deliver ransoms on behalf of victims.