- SBM intelligence reports reveal that Nigerians paid over N1b for ransom between July 2023 to June 2024
- According to the report, Anambra state paid highest ransom with N350.2
- Security experts express concerns, call for urgent action towards improving security across Federation
Recently, SB Morgan Intelligence released a report, showing that Nigeria spent over a billion naira on ransom payment between July 2023 and June 2024.
According to the report, entitled “Grim Reaping: Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry – A 2024 Update” report, published by SBM Intelligence, it revealed that between July 2023 and June 2024, Nigerians paid N1.048 billion in ransom to kidnappers.
The SBM Intelligence report indicates that a total of 7,568 individuals were abducted across the country during this period.
SBM Intelligence, a prominent geopolitical research consultancy focused on Africa, highlighted the severity of the kidnapping crisis in Nigeria in its latest report with such damning report.
The report notes that although kidnappers initially demanded N11 billion in ransom, only N1.048 billion was actually paid.
It attributes the rise in kidnapping for ransom to the country’s economic challenges, which have led kidnappers to target a broader range of victims. The report also emphasizes that the ransom payments reflect the financial capabilities of victims’ families rather than their negotiating prowess.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded the highest ransom demands, with Lagos and Kaduna following closely. The South East region was noted for having the highest amount of ransom paid and the most successful collections.
According to the report, it highlighted a troubling trend where kidnappers demand in-kind payments, such as food, drinks, cigarettes, or motorcycles, depending on the region.
Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states reported the highest number of kidnapping incidents and victims, with Zamfara alone recording 132 incidents involving 1,639 victims. The report also revealed that kidnapping has become increasingly lethal, with 1,056 deaths recorded in 1,130 incidents over the past year.
The report further underscores that while the southern regions of Nigeria have seen only a modest increase in kidnapping incidents, the northern regions have experienced a sharp escalation in such crimes. Women have also been increasingly targeted in these abductions.
Out of the N10.9 billion demanded as ransom, kidnappers got a staggering N1 billion, the report, titled “Grim Reaping: Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry”, revealed.
“Between July 2023 and June 2024, no fewer than 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 incidents across the country,” the Africa-focused market and security intelligence firm said.
“In that same period, kidnappers demanded at least the sum of N10,995,090,000 (approximately N11 billion) as ransom but got N1,048,110,000, a mere 9.5% of the money demanded.”
SBM analysis showed that the federal capital territory (FCT) has the highest ransom demands, followed closely by Lagos and Kaduna while the Southeast has the highest ransom paid and collection rate overall.
The report stated that while politicians, business owners were high targets of kidnappers in the previous years, the situation has worsened as everyone, regardless of class or age, are now targeted by abductors.
“The pool for high net worth individuals has shrunk. This makes everyone, including the bourgeoisie, students, infants, etc, a target”, it stated.
SBM Intel further said that the increasing number of kidnapping incidents in Nigeria points to the widespread levels of poverty and economic impasse ongoing in the country.
According to the World Bank, 89 million Nigerians are extremely poor for a country of less than 250 million people.
This has made Africa’s most populous nation the second poorest populated country after India in 2023.
“Nigeria’s insecurity has deteriorated, likely because as more people have become poorer from a stagnant economy, more people have become desperate and have resorted to kidnapping for ransom for survival,” SBM Intel said.
The report showed that of the 1,130 kidnap cases reported, Zamfara leads in the number of incidents reported with 132 incidents.
This is more than that of its neighboring Kaduna and Katsina with 1,639 kidnap victims. The two northern states recorded 113 and 119 incidents, with 1,113 and 887 people kidnapped, respectively.
“In these areas, bandit groups frequently exploit the inadequate security presence to impose collective punishment on rural communities, often kidnapping entire villages or groups of commuters.
“These groups sometimes use abducted individuals as forced labour while waiting for state governments to negotiate, whether for reduced military pressure or as retribution against communities suspected of cooperating with security forces,” the report stated.
SBM Intel advocates concerted efforts from the government to resolve the economic crisis in the country and come up with measures to prevent kidnapping from becoming an entrenched norm in the country.
“There is an urgent need for a comprehensive and coordinated effort to disrupt the financial flows that sustain these criminal activities.
“Only then can Nigeria hope to address the growing threat of kidnapping and restore a sense of security to its citizens,” the Lagos-based intelligence gathering firm said.
According to the report, kidnappings have not only become more frequent but also more lethal, with 1,056 people killed during these incidents, averaging one death per kidnapping attempt.
Despite the massive amounts requested, the actual payments have been significantly lower, with many victims’ families unable to meet the exorbitant demands.
The geography of Nigeria’s kidnapping epidemic reveals that the Northwest, particularly Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina, is the most affected region, with these states leading in the number of incidents, victims, and civilian deaths.
The Southeast, however, recorded the highest ransom collection rate, with a notable 65% of ransoms demanded being paid.
Top 10 states where Nigerians paid the most ransom to kidnappers between July 2023 to June 2024
Kaduna
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Kaduna state, known for its historic cities and diverse culture, has become a hotspot for kidnappings. Despite N1.52 billion being demanded, only N32.07 million was paid, which is a mere 2.1% of the total ransom demanded.
The state’s ongoing security challenges are evident, with kidnappings frequently reported along the Kaduna-Abuja highway. In March, over 100 people were kidnapped in Kajuru-Station village and nearby Dogon Noma community of Kaduna State. Kaduna recorded 111 kidnapping incidents with 1,113 people abducted during the reviewed period.
Zamfara
Zamfara State, often in the news due to banditry, saw a total of N32.50 million paid out of the N437 million demanded by kidnappers. This represents 7.4% of the ransom demanded. The state has been grappling with insecurity for years, with abductions becoming a tragic norm. Recently, dozens of villagers were kidnapped in the Shinkafi and Maradun areas, highlighting the persistent danger in the region. Zamfara experienced the highest number of kidnapping incidents at 132, leading to the abduction of 1,639 people.
Borno
Borno State, the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency, saw N34.24 million paid to kidnappers, which is 29.5% of the N116.10 million demanded. The state’s ongoing conflict has made it a target for various criminal activities, including kidnapping. The abduction of several aid workers and the persistent threat to civilians in remote areas remain a major concern. Borno witnessed 63 kidnapping incidents, with 720 individuals kidnapped.
Imo
Imo State, located in southeastern Nigeria, surprisingly saw a ransom payment that exceeded the initial demand—N39 million was paid, although only N10 million was demanded. This means the ransom paid was 390% of what was initially demanded. The state has experienced a rise in insecurity, with kidnapping incidents frequently targeting prominent individuals. Imo had 15 reported kidnapping incidents, resulting in 30 people being abducted.
Ondo
Ondo State, known for its rich agricultural heritage, recorded a ransom payment of N52.55 million, which is 169.5% above the N31 million demanded. Kidnappings in the state have been on the rise, with recent reports highlighting the abduction of travelers along major highways. Ondo State recorded 15 kidnapping incidents, leading to the abduction of 67 individuals.
Nasarawa
Nasarawa State, located in central Nigeria, saw N55.50 million paid out of the N230 million demanded by kidnappers, amounting to 24.1% of the ransom demanded. The state has witnessed several high-profile kidnappings, which drew national attention. For instance, in June this year, about 30 travelers, including some students of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa were reportedly abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Abuja-Nasarawa Highway. Nasarawa saw 24 kidnapping incidents, with a total of 113 people abducted. The state’s proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has made it an attractive target for criminals.
Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom State, famous for its oil wealth and cultural festivals, had N64 million paid in ransom, out of the N170 million demanded. This payment represents 37.6% of the total ransom demanded. The state, typically peaceful, has seen a rise in kidnapping incidents, particularly targeting wealthy individuals and expatriates. Akwa Ibom experienced 14 kidnapping incidents, with 12 individuals being abducted.
Rivers
Rivers State, the oil hub of Nigeria, recorded a ransom payment of N67.70 million, from a demand of N217.50 million. This represents 31.1% of the ransom demanded. The state’s wealth has unfortunately made it a prime target for kidnappers. Several cases, including the abduction of foreign nationals and local businessmen, have highlighted the ongoing security issues in the region. Rivers State reported 28 kidnapping incidents, leading to the abduction of 66 people.
FCT (Federal Capital Territory)
The Federal Capital Territory, housing Nigeria’s seat of power, saw N117.45 million paid in ransom, a small fraction—3.7%—of the N3,131 million demanded. Despite its status as the nation’s capital, the FCT has not been immune to the scourge of kidnappings. FCT recorded 70 kidnapping incidents, with 404 people being abducted.
Anambra
Anambra State tops the list, with a staggering N350.20 million paid out of the N400 million demanded by kidnappers, representing 87.6% of the ransom demanded. The state’s rising kidnapping cases have alarmed both residents and authorities. Anambra had 29 kidnapping incidents, resulting in 46 individuals being kidnapped.
Reactions of the residents to the ugly trend
By and large, a social media activist and journalist, Charles Ogbu termed the SBM Intelligence report naming Anambra State as the hub of kidnapping as a damning indictment of Governor Charles Soludo, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security services.
In his response to the development, Ogbu remarked that there is rarely a day that someone is not kidnapped in the state, including clergy, businesspeople, and students.
In a Facebook post, Ogbu claimed that everyone in the state is aware of the issue but has chosen to remain silent regarding it.
However, he advised Governor Soludo not to wait for the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the governor must step up before vital areas of Igbo land are lost to criminals
Ogbu in his post said “As Anambra Becomes Nigeria’s Kidnapping Capital. Yesterday, the SBM Intelligence report covering July 2023 to July 2024 ranked Anambra as the headquarters of ransom-for-kidnapping in the country, with around N350 million paid by Anambra victims to kidnappers, with many killed even after the ransom was paid.
“This is far ahead of the second-placed Rivers, which recorded N67 million in ransom payments by victims of kidnapping.
“This is a huge indictment on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies and, above all, the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led government in the state.”
Lamenting further, Ogbu said that “just last Wednesday, a man who parked his car to buy suya close to the G.R.A gate ran into the local government secretariat right opposite that popular suya joint, but the kidnappers followed him right inside the secretariat and still took him.
“That same week, just a small traffic jam from Sea Breeze Hotel after Sharon Hall to that 33 Road close to the G.R.A gate, saw gunmen diligently robbing almost all the cars in the traffic.
“There is hardly a day that someone is not kidnapped in the state, from reverend fathers to businessmen to students. No one is spared.
“The worst part is that everyone who lives in the state knows about this, but there appears to be a conspiracy of silence on this issue.
“To develop AlaIgbo and encourage Aku-Ruo-Uno, we must be ready to call out special cases of this nature and put pressure on the governor and those in charge to do something. Silence DOES NOT CUT IT!
“Soludo should not wait for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who clearly ‘no send anybody.’
“Before Mr Peter Obi’s tenure, Anambra was a no-go area, but he came in and tackled it squarely. Soludo needs to step up before we lose one of the most important parts of AlaIgbo to criminals.”
Security experts express concerns over the situation
Nevertheless, in an interview with newsmen few days ago, a retired director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, described the development as “dangerous for Nigeria’s economy”.
Ejiofor stressed that even though the lives lost during the period that ransom was paid were more important than the money, it was time for the president to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.
Proffering solution to the situation, Ejiofor stated that manning Nigeria’s land borders properly will go a long way in checking the cross-border movement of the kidnappers and other criminals engaging in the activities.
“If that report is anything to go by, that is very dangerous, both for our economy and for our other spheres of life. It is a danger that must be checked.
“Money raked in is not even the problem, what about the numbers of lives lost?
We should not be talking about money but the numbers of lives lost first. It is high time the government did something quickly.
“The way forward is the citizens’ participation. People must be involved. We shouldn’t be waiting for our security agencies alone to do it.
“Government should also prioritise or declare an emergency on security, and give proper funding, training, among others to security agencies, and collaborate with other foreign interests and groups because what is going on now is that, we have this trans-border crimes and trans-border movement.
“It is painful and a disgrace for any government to admit it is paying ransom. It is an abnormality we are going to live with for some time. We need to invest more and restructure our intelligence architecture.”
In the same vein, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor stated that the amount could be more than projected by SBM Intelligence.
In his words, “I will not be surprised about the SBM intelligence on payment of ransom to Kidnappers in the country. The amount would definitely be more than that.
“You don’t expect any government to tell you it is paying ransom for kidnapped victims. For private citizens, it is easier for families to rally round to gather money to pay ransom. In most cases, security agencies are helpless.
“They don’t have enough trackers. Many times, relatives of victims are told to pay for the deployment of trackers. In most cases, relatives of kidnapped victims are encouraged by security agencies to pay ransom because of the state of their helplessness.
“The best way to tackle kidnapping is by way of looking for credible Intelligence. This is totally absent because our intelligence community is sleeping. There is the hoarding of Information and unnecessary inter agency rivalries.
“They are only interested in Amebo work. It is painful and a disgrace for any government to admit it is paying ransom. It is an abnormality we are going to live with for sometime. We need to invest more and restructure our intelligence architecture.”
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