A recent report by SBM Intelligence has shed light on the alarming trend of abductions in Nigeria, revealing that a staggering 3,620 people were kidnapped in the country within the last year, News About Nigeria gathered.
The report, titled “The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry,” was released on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, and covers the period from July 2022 to June 2023.
During this year-long period, 582 separate kidnapping incidents occurred across Nigeria, resulting in the tragic loss of 570 lives. Among the victims, 430 were civilians, 121 were kidnappers, and 19 were security operatives.
The kidnappers, driven by economic motives, demanded ransom payments totaling at least ₦5 billion from the victims’ relatives.
However, the actual ransom paid amounted to approximately ₦302 million, although the report acknowledges that this figure may be significantly higher due to underreporting.
This alarming surge in abductions and ransom demands underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Nigeria. Kidnappings for ransom are said to have escalated significantly, with various criminal groups and armed factions operating across the country.
The main culprits identified in the report are bandits in the North West, Boko Haram in the North East, sea pirates in the South-South, while armed separatists echoed in the South East, and criminal youth gangs in multiple regions.
The report attributes the growing prevalence of kidnappings to Nigeria’s struggling economy, rising inflation, and high unemployment rates, which have made ransom payments the primary motivation for kidnappers.
In addition to monetary ransoms, kidnappers have also been known to demand non-monetary items like foodstuff, particularly in the North West and North Central regions, where motorcycles have also been included as part of ransom payments.
The data from the SBM report highlights that Nigerians are most vulnerable to abductions in states such as Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara, which recorded the highest per capita abduction rates and casualties during kidnap attempts.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s promises to address insecurity in Nigeria since taking office in May, the report suggests that the profitability of the kidnapping industry currently outweighs the perceived risk of state intervention.
The ongoing economic challenges, including high inflation and a weakened currency, are likely to exacerbate the situation, leading to higher ransom demands and increased hardships for affected families.
SBM Intelligence recommends that efforts to combat kidnapping must be comprehensive, addressing both the root causes and consequences of this growing crisis.
