A shocking new report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that Nigerians paid an estimated ₦2.23 trillion in ransoms to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024, highlighting the escalating kidnapping crisis in the country.
The Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, released on Tuesday, shows that 65% of households affected by kidnapping were forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones. The average ransom payment stood at ₦2,670,693, underscoring the severe financial and emotional toll on victims.
The survey estimated a staggering 2,235,954 kidnapping incidents nationwide, with rural areas bearing the brunt of the crisis. Rural regions experienced 1,668,104 kidnappings compared to 567,850 in urban areas. Geographically, the North-West region emerged as the most affected, recording 1,420,307 cases, followed by the North-Central zone with 317,837 incidents. The South-East reported the lowest number at 110,432 kidnappings.
Reporting patterns revealed some additional insights. Despite the traumatic experiences, 80.5% of affected households reported kidnappings to the police. The South-South zone demonstrated the highest reporting rate at 100%, while the North-West had the lowest at 73.9%. Urban areas showed a slightly higher reporting rate of 87.1% compared to 77.3% in rural areas.
The report painted a grim picture of kidnapping outcomes. Of the reported cases, 82.1% of victims were released, 12.8% were killed, and 3.3% remained in captivity. Notably, 91% of kidnappings were motivated by financial gain, with perpetrators seeking ransoms in money, goods, or other benefits.
Only a small percentage of kidnappings were attributed to other motives: 2.4% to political, criminal, or terrorist objectives, and 2.1% to personal or family disputes. Custody-related kidnappings accounted for a mere 0.5% of cases.
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The crime statistics extended beyond kidnappings. The North-West region reported the highest overall crime rate with 14.4 million incidents, followed by the North-Central with 8.8 million. In contrast, the South-East recorded the lowest number of reported crimes at 6.18 million.
Experts continue to express concern about the persistent kidnapping epidemic. Despite repeated assurances from government and security agencies, the situation appears largely unchanged, with abductions becoming an increasingly lucrative criminal enterprise in some parts of Nigeria.
The NBS report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing the country, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat kidnapping and protect citizens.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
