Nigeria Witnesses 3,620 Abductions, N5 Billion Ransom Demands In A Year, Report Says

Nigeria is suffering from a kidnap epidemic as within one year, 3,620 individuals were abducted while N5 billion has been demanded by the kidnappers in ransom, according to a report.

A report, titled "The Economics of Nigeria's Kidnap Industry: Follow the Money" published by SB Morgan on Wednesday disclosed these staggering figures, revealing that these numbers could be due to underreporting.

According to the report, there have been 582 reported incidents regarding kidnapping between July 2022 and June 2023, which resulted in the abduction of 3,620 people.

While the total ransom demanded throughout the year on different incidents was at least N5 billion, the actual ransom amount paid was N302 million. In some cases, kidnappers choose non-monetary ransom like food.

"Kidnap dynamics differ between individual and community cases, with less secrecy in larger-scale abductions. In some instances, kidnappers opt for non-monetary ransom, like foodstuff," it stated. "Notably, the Northwest and Northcentral regions exhibit higher in-kind cases of ransom demands, correlating with Nigeria's widespread poverty."

The Northwest and Northcentral regions have seen a surge in demands for motorcycles as ransom rather than asking for cash.

Whereas, Edo is the state with high ransom demands, has been identified as the minimal return of the abducted person. Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger states are also hotspots for kidnapping as these areas have witnessed mass community abductions.

"Kaduna was the most dangerous state for priests, who were often kidnapped during services," it added. "Abductors demanded around N50 million in the past, but the Church now refrains from disclosing ransom negotiations possibly to avoid encouraging further attacks."

It further explained, "Edo kidnappers sought high ransoms but received little. On the other hand, Taraba paid the most, primarily due to a single case. The Northcentral saw higher ransom amounts demanded, notably in Nasarawa, where targeted abductions yielded maximum ransom with minimal resistance."

Considering the kidnapping incidents, there have been over 430 casualties and the security agents accounted for 19 deaths and kidnappers were responsible for 121 deaths throughout the year.

As far as security agencies accountable for the number of deaths is concerned, these figures reflect Nigeria's security agencies' struggle to contain kidnappings for ransom.

"This shows that the industry's profitability outweighs the perceived threat of state intervention and police rescues," as per the report, adding that these kidnappings are happening due to current economic difficulties, such as high inflation and a weak currency.

Nigeria is going through a tough time in terms of internal conflict including attacks from bandits.

One such incident took place in May when a United States convoy was attacked in Nigeria by gunmen, killed two staff members, and two police officers, and kidnapped three individuals including two police officers and a driver.