Nigerians paid a staggering ₦2.23 trillion as ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024, according to a new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The figures were revealed in the NBS’s latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey report, published on Tuesday. The report stated that 65 percent of households affected by kidnapping were forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.
“The average amount paid as ransom was ₦2,670,693, with an estimated total ransom of ₦2,231,772,563,507 paid within the reference period,” the NBS report stated.
The survey estimated 2,235,954 kidnapping incidents nationwide during the period under review. A breakdown showed that rural areas recorded more cases (1,668,104) compared to urban areas (567,850).
Regional Breakdown of Kidnapping
The report revealed that the North-West geopolitical zone experienced the highest number of kidnapping cases, with 1,420,307 incidents recorded. The North-Central zone followed with 317,837 cases, while the South-East had the least, reporting 110,432 incidents.
Despite the prevalence of abductions, 80.5 percent of affected households reported the incidents to the police.
“The South-South zone had the highest reporting rate at 100 percent, followed by North-Central at 89.6 percent. In contrast, the North-West zone recorded the lowest reporting rate at 73.9 percent,” the report noted.
It further stated that reporting rates were higher in urban areas (87.1 percent) compared to rural areas (77.3 percent).
Outcomes of Kidnapping Cases
The analysis revealed that while some abductees were killed, others were successfully released. Of the reported kidnapping cases, 82.1 percent resulted in the release of victims.
The report added that 91 percent of kidnappings were financially motivated, with ransom demands in the form of money, goods, or other benefits.
Other motivations for kidnappings included political, criminal, or terrorist objectives, which accounted for 2.4 percent of cases, while 2.1 percent were linked to personal or family disputes. Custody disputes made up 0.5 percent of the cases.
Overall Crime Rates Across Regions
The NBS survey highlighted the North-West region as having the highest overall incidence of crime, with 14.4 million reported cases. The North-Central followed closely with 8.8 million cases.
By contrast, the South-East recorded the lowest crime rate, with 6.18 million incidents reported during the period.
Rising Abduction Crisis in Nigeria
Kidnappings remain a persistent issue in Nigeria, particularly in regions plagued by insecurity. Reports of mass abductions from schools, as well as the killing of abductees, have fueled concerns that kidnapping has become a lucrative criminal enterprise for organized gangs.
Despite repeated reassurances from the government and security agencies, experts argue that efforts to curb the crisis have yielded minimal results. The report underscores the urgent need for stronger security measures and a comprehensive strategy to tackle the growing menace of kidnapping across the country.
