NBS Report Reveals Nigerians Spent ₦2.23 Trillion On Ransoms To Kidnappers In One Year

NBS Report Reveals Nigerians Spent ₦2.23 Trillion On Ransoms To Kidnappers In One YearA new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that Nigerians paid a staggering ₦2.23 trillion in ransoms to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024. According to the data in the NBS Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, 65% of households affected by kidnapping resorted to paying ransom to secure the release of their loved ones.

The report states, “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.”

Kidnapping Incidents

The survey revealed that there were 2,235,954 reported kidnapping incidents across Nigeria during the period. Kidnapping incidents were more prevalent in rural areas, which recorded 1,668,104 cases, compared to urban areas with 567,850 cases.

Regional Breakdown

Breaking down the data by geopolitical zones, the North-West recorded the highest number of kidnappings with 1,420,307 incidents, followed by the North-Central region with 317,837 cases. The South-East had the lowest number, with 110,432 kidnapping incidents reported.

Reporting of Kidnapping Cases

The report also highlights the public’s response to these crimes, with 80.5% of households affected by kidnapping reporting the incidents to the police. The South-South region had the highest reporting rate at 100%, followed by the North-Central zone with 89.6%. The North-West had the lowest reporting rate at 73.9%. Urban areas also had a higher reporting rate (87.1%) compared to rural areas (77.3%).

Outcome of Kidnapping Cases

According to the NBS report, 82.1% of kidnapped individuals were released, 12.8% were killed, and 3.3% remained in captivity.

Motivations Behind Kidnapping

The report shows that the majority of kidnappings—91%—were motivated by ransom demands, either in cash, goods, or other forms of benefit. Political, criminal, and terrorist motives were behind 2.4% of kidnappings, while 2.1% stemmed from personal or family disputes, and 0.5% involved custody-related issues.

Overall Crime Rate by Region

The NBS survey also provided insight into broader crime trends, revealing 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 incidents.

Concerns Over Rising Kidnapping in Nigeria

Kidnapping has become an increasingly prevalent crime in Nigeria, with reports of mass abductions from schools, roadside ambushes, and community attacks. These criminal activities have turned into a lucrative venture for organized gangs, who demand large ransom payments. Despite efforts by the government and security agencies to curb the menace, experts argue that the measures so far have had limited success in reducing the frequency of kidnappings across the country.

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