Kidnappers collected at least N2.57 billion as ransom from their victims between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a new report by SBM Intelligence.

The report, titled “The Year Ahead at an Inflexion Point”, which was released on December 19, 2025, analysed key economic and political developments shaping Africa in 2025 and found that kidnappers demanded an estimated N48 billion in ransom during the 12-month period, though only a fraction of that amount was ultimately paid.

SBM Intelligence said the figures show that abductions in Nigeria have evolved into a structured, profit-driven enterprise, thriving amid weak governance, vast unpoliced rural spaces and worsening security conditions across several regions.

According to the report, at least 4,722 people were abducted across 997 kidnapping incidents during the period under review, while no fewer than 762 people were killed in attacks linked to banditry and related violence.

Although ransom demands surged sharply in naira terms, SBM Intelligence noted that the actual value realised by kidnappers in dollar terms remained relatively modest due to the depreciation of the naira.

The N2.57 billion paid in ransom during the period translates to about $1.66 million, only slightly higher than the estimated $1.13 million equivalent of N653.7 million collected in 2022.

Northwest remains epicentre

The Northwest continued to dominate Nigeria’s kidnap-for-ransom landscape, accounting for 425 incidents, or 42.6 per cent of total cases nationwide. The region also recorded 2,938 victims, representing 62.2 per cent of all abducted persons.

Zamfara State recorded the highest number of victims at 1,203, followed by Kaduna and Katsina States. SBM Intelligence attributed the concentration of kidnappings to the region’s vast, poorly governed rural areas and the presence of entrenched bandit networks capable of carrying out 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 period.

Rise in mass abductions

Mass kidnappings—defined as incidents involving more than five victims—accounted for about 23 per cent of all recorded cases and were overwhelmingly concentrated in northern states.

The report noted that entire villages were often targeted, with victims sometimes forced to work on bandit-controlled farms and mining sites.

Such large-scale operations, SBM Intelligence said, allow criminal groups to maximise leverage during ransom negotiations while spreading fear across communities.

Beyond kidnapping, the report highlighted persistent and escalating violence across several parts of the country in 2025. In the Northcentral, attacks linked to armed herders continued through March, with Benue State particularly affected. A single attack in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on March 7 left 15 people dead.

Zamfara State experienced repeated deadly incidents, including an attack in Tsafe Local Government Area on March 13 that killed 40 people, alongside mass abductions in Maru Local Government Area, where 38 people were kidnapped the same day.

April and May emerged as some of the deadliest months of the year, with 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 in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states. (Daily Trust)

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