December 18, 2024
The issue of kidnapping in Nigeria has reached alarming proportions, with staggering figures revealing the financial toll it takes on individuals and communities. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Centre for Economic and Social Policy Studies (CESPS) outlines both the average ransom amounts and the total payments made for kidnapping incidents across the country in 2024.
Average Ransom Amounts Per Incident (May 2023 – April 2024)
- National Average: ₦2.67 million
- Regional Breakdown:
- South West: ₦4.70 million
- South South: ₦3.09 million
- North East: ₦2.84 million
- North West: ₦2.53 million
- North Central: ₦2.44 million
- South East: ₦2.13 million
- Urban vs. Rural:
- Urban Areas: ₦3.66 million
- Rural Areas: ₦2.32 million
The figures highlight a significant disparity between regions, with the South West recording the highest average ransom per incident and the South East the lowest. Urban areas also tend to demand higher ransoms compared to rural areas.
Estimated Total Ransom Payments (January – November 2024)
- National Total: ₦2.23 trillion
- Regional Breakdown:
- North West: ₦1.17 trillion
- North Central: ₦469.74 billion
- South West: ₦248.78 billion
- North East: ₦166.14 billion
- South South: ₦90.05 billion
- South East: ₦85.44 billion
- Northern vs. Southern Nigeria:
- Northern Nigeria: ₦1.81 trillion
- Southern Nigeria: ₦424.27 billion
- Urban vs. Rural:
- Rural Areas: ₦1.44 trillion
- Urban Areas: ₦794.46 billion
Implications and Concerns
The data underscores the severity of Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis, with over ₦2.23 trillion paid in ransoms this year alone. The North West, in particular, bears the heaviest burden, accounting for more than half of the national total. Meanwhile, rural areas face higher aggregate payments, reflecting the widespread vulnerability of less urbanized regions.
Call for Action
These statistics serve as a wake-up call for intensified security measures and a comprehensive strategy to tackle the root causes of kidnapping in Nigeria. A coordinated effort involving federal and state governments, security agencies, and community leaders is essential to curb this menace and restore safety to affected regions.