According to SBM Intelligence report on Nigeria’s security landscape shows that 27 out of 36 states recorded ransom payments to kidnappers between July 2023 and July 2024.
Only nine states remain ransom-free: Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Oyo, Gombe, Taraba, Bayelsa, Bauchi and Kebbi.
This indicates widespread kidnapping-for-ransom activities across most Nigerian states.
The highest ransom was reported to have been paid in Anambra state – N350 million, while Rivers state follows with N67.7 million, Nasarawa, N55.5 million and Borno, N34.2 million.
The SBM Intelligence report shows that no fewer than 7,568 people were abducted across the country in the one-year period between July 2023 and July 2024.
It was noted that some of the issues include Boko Haram’s resurgence in the Northeast, armed gangs in the Northcentral and Northwest, secessionist violence in the Southeast, and gang-related issues in the Southwest.
About Author
