A new report by SBM Intelligence has revealed that Nigerians paid a whopping sum of ₦1.04bn as ransom to kidnappers in one year.
According to the report, the money was paid between July 2023 and June 2024.
It also showed that the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja has the highest ransom demand. The FCT was followed closely by Lagos and Kaduna States.
The SBM, however, stated that “When comparing geopolitical zones, the Southeast has the highest ransom paid. The region also had the highest collection rate overall.”
From its research findings, the SBM stated that within the period under review, no fewer than 7,568 people were abducted. This occurred in 1,130 incidents of kidnap across the country.
The report read in part, “In that same period, kidnappers demanded at least the sum of ₦10,995,090,000 (approximately $6,871,931) as ransom. But they received ₦1,048,110,000, a mere 9.5% of the money demanded. Indicating that kidnappers have become less targeted in
their victimology.”
“Of the 1,130 reported kidnapping cases, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina have the highest numbers of incidents and victims. Zamfara recorded 132 incidents with 1,639 victims. Kaduna had 113 incidents with 1,113 victims, and Katsina reported 119 incidents with 887 victims.
“These three States also have the highest number of civilian deaths. In the year under review in this report, kidnapping has become more lethal. With 1,056 people killed in 1,130 reported kidnap incidents.”
SBM also stated that on an average, someone is killed each time there is an attempted kidnap.
“This year, as in previous years, kidnappers have continued to demand in-kind payments from victims’ families. These range from food, drinks and cigarettes in the South to motorcycles in the North.”
“More than four ransom bearers have been killed, and three others abducted this year. And if this trend persists, it may get more challenging to find people eager or willing to deliver ransoms on behalf of victims.”
source: Channels TV
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