Nigerians paid a staggering ₦2.23 trillion as ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The data, published in the NBS Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, revealed that 65% of households affected by kidnapping resorted to paying ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.
The report stated, “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 survey also showed that kidnapping incidents totaled 2,235,954 across the country. Rural areas experienced a higher rate of kidnappings (1,668,104) compared to urban areas (567,850).
Regional Breakdown
An analysis of the data by geopolitical zones revealed that the North-West had the highest number of reported kidnapping cases, with 1,420,307 incidents.
This was followed by the North-Central region, which recorded 317,837 cases. The South-East had the lowest number of cases, with 110,432 reported incidents.
Reporting of Kidnapping Cases
The survey showed that 80.5% of households affected by kidnapping reported the incident to the police.
The South-South region had the highest reporting rate, with 100% of incidents reported.
This was followed by the North-Central zone at 89.6%, while the North-West had the lowest reporting rate at 73.9%.
When disaggregated by place of residence, urban areas recorded a higher reporting rate of 87.1%, compared to 77.3% in rural areas.
Outcome of Kidnapping Cases
The NBS report revealed the fate of kidnapping victims within the review period. It showed that 82.1% of abducted persons were released, 12.8% were killed, and 3.3% remained in captivity.
Motivation for Kidnapping
The report noted that 91% of kidnapping incidents were carried out to demand ransom in the form of money, goods, or other benefits.
Political, criminal, and terrorist motives accounted for 2.4% of kidnappings, while 2.1% were linked to personal or family disputes. Custody-related disputes accounted for 0.5% of the cases.
Crime Rate by Region
On the broader issue of crime, the NBS survey revealed that the North-West had the highest number of overall crime incidents, with 14.4 million cases reported.
The North-Central region followed with 8.8 million cases, while the South-East recorded the lowest, with 6.18 million reported incidents.
Rising Concerns Over Kidnapping in Nigeria
Kidnapping has become a widespread menace in Nigeria, with reports of mass abductions from schools, roadside ambushes, and attacks on communities.
These criminal activities have become a lucrative venture for gangs seeking large ransom payments.
Despite assurances from the government and security agencies, experts argue that the measures taken so far have not significantly reduced the rate of kidnappings.