Nigeria has seen a staggering ₦2.23 trillion paid as ransom for kidnapping incidents from January to April 2024, according to a report by the Center for Security and Public Studies (CESPS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The surge in ransom payments highlights the escalating impact of abductions across the country.
The northern region has borne the brunt, with the North West alone contributing ₦1.17 trillion to the total.
Northern Nigeria accounted for ₦1.81 trillion, while Southern Nigeria reported much lower figures, totaling ₦424.27 billion.
Rural areas have also been significantly affected, with ₦1.44 trillion in ransom paid compared to ₦794.46 billion from urban areas.
This stark contrast highlights the vulnerability of rural communities, where kidnapping activities are often less regulated and more lucrative for criminal gangs.
A staggering 65% of Nigerian households that experienced kidnapping between the period under review made ransom payments.
The outcome of these incidents revealed that 82.1% of kidnapped individuals were released, while 12.8% were killed, and 3.3% remain in captivity.
