Nigerian Kidnappers Collected N2.57bn in Ransom Within One Year – Report

Kidnappers operating across Nigeria collected at least N2.57 billion in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a new report released by SBM Intelligence.

The report, titled “The Year Ahead at an Inflexion Point” and published on December 19, 2025, analysed major economic, political and security trends expected to shape Africa in 2025. It found that while criminal groups demanded an estimated N48 billion in ransom during the 12-month period, only a small proportion of that amount was ultimately paid by victims’ families and communities.

SBM Intelligence said kidnapping in Nigeria has evolved into a highly organised, profit-driven criminal enterprise, fuelled by weak governance, vast unpoliced rural areas and worsening security conditions in several parts of the country.

According to the findings, at least 4,722 people were abducted in 997 kidnapping incidents during the period under review. The violence associated with banditry and kidnapping also claimed no fewer than 762 lives nationwide.

Despite the sharp increase in ransom demands measured in naira, the report noted that kidnappers’ real earnings remained relatively modest in dollar terms due to the depreciation of the national currency. The N2.57 billion paid in ransom is equivalent to about $1.66 million, only slightly higher than the $1.13 million equivalent of N653.7 million recorded in 2022.

The Northwest emerged as the epicentre of kidnap-for-ransom activities, accounting for 425 incidents, or 42.6 per cent of cases nationwide. The region also recorded 2,938 victims, representing 62.2 per cent of all abducted persons.

Zamfara State topped the list with 1,203 victims, followed by Kaduna and Katsina states. SBM Intelligence attributed the concentration of kidnappings in the region to expansive, poorly governed rural terrain and deeply entrenched bandit networks capable of conducting large-scale operations with little resistance.

In contrast, the Southwest recorded the lowest level of kidnapping activity, accounting for just 5.3 per cent of incidents and 3 per cent of victims during the same period.

The report also highlighted a worrying rise in mass abductions—defined as incidents involving more than five victims—which made up about 23 per cent of all recorded cases. These incidents were largely concentrated in northern states, with entire villages sometimes targeted. Victims were reportedly forced to work on farms and mining sites controlled by bandit groups.

SBM Intelligence said such large-scale kidnappings allow criminal gangs to intensify pressure during ransom negotiations while spreading fear across affected communities.

Beyond kidnapping, the report documented sustained violence in other regions of the country. In the North-central zone, attacks linked to armed herders persisted into March, with Benue State recording significant casualties. One attack in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on March 7 reportedly left 15 people dead.

Zamfara State also witnessed repeated deadly incidents, including an attack in Tsafe Local Government Area on March 13 that claimed 40 lives, as well as mass abductions in Maru Local Government Area, where 38 people were kidnapped on the same day.

April and May were identified as some of the deadliest months of the year, with coordinated attacks in Plateau and Benue states killing more than 100 people combined. During the same period, mass abductions involving up to 100 victims were recorded across Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

The report warned that without decisive improvements in security, governance and rural policing, kidnapping and related violence are likely to remain a major threat to lives and livelihoods across Nigeria.