A report released by SBM Intelligence reveals that between July 2023 and July 2024, at least 7,568 people were abducted across Nigeria. The report highlights a worsening security crisis, with armed groups and non-state actors exploiting the state’s weakened influence.
Key issues include Boko Haram’s resurgence in the Northeast, armed gangs in the Northcentral and Northwest, secessionist violence in the Southeast, and gang-related problems in the Southwest.
“Amid these diverse security threats, widespread kidnap for ransom has emerged as a common thread. Between July 2023 and June 2024, our research found that no fewer than 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 incidents across the country,” the report states.
During this period, kidnappers demanded at least N10,995,090,000 (approximately $6,871,931) in ransom but received only N1,048,110,000, representing a mere 9.5% of the amount demanded. This suggests a shift in kidnappers’ targeting strategies.
The report notes that Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states reported the highest numbers of kidnapping incidents and victims. Zamfara recorded the highest number with 132 incidents involving 1,639 victims, followed by Kaduna with 113 incidents and 1,113 victims, and Katsina with 119 incidents and 887 victims. These three states also reported the most civilian deaths, with 1,056 people killed in the 1,130 reported incidents. On average, someone is killed in each attempted kidnapping.
Gombe recorded the fewest incidents with just one case, Jigawa had two, Bayelsa three, Kano four, and Osun had six.
The report also reveals that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had the highest ransom demands, followed by Lagos and Kaduna. In terms of geographic zones, the Southeast had the highest ransom paid and collection rates overall.
Kidnappers have continued to demand in-kind payments from victims’ families, including food, drinks, cigarettes in the South, and motorcycles in the North. The report also notes an alarming trend of kidnappers killing ransom bearers, with more than four killed and three abducted this year alone. If this trend continues, it could further undermine trust and willingness to deliver ransoms.
Additionally, the report highlights 135 mass abduction incidents involving at least five victims each, totaling 3,277 kidnapped individuals and 125 killed.
Despite significant government expenditure on security—N3.2 trillion in one year—concerns persist about the effectiveness of security strategies. President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s failure to curb insecurity has sparked widespread frustration among Nigerians, who are seeking more effective and lasting solutions.
