Kidnappers demanded at least N81.9 billion in ransom from victims and their families across Nigeria between July 2023 and June 2026, but only about N11.4 billion was reportedly paid, according to an analysis by SBM Intelligence.
The figures, drawn from three consecutive annual reports by the research organisation, show that at least 20,115 people were abducted in the three-year period, highlighting the growing human and financial impact of kidnapping in the country.
The N11.4 billion paid represented about 13.9 per cent of the total ransom demanded. However, the amount actually paid increased significantly over the period, rising from N1.05 billion in 2023/24 to N7.78 billion in 2025/26.
SBM Intelligence reported that ransom demands dropped from N48 billion in 2024/25 to N22.86 billion in 2025/26, while payments increased from N2.56 billion to N7.78 billion. This pushed the proportion of ransom demands that were paid from 5.35 per cent to 34 per cent.
Between July 2023 and June 2024, 7,568 people were kidnapped in 1,130 incidents. The criminals demanded N10.995 billion and received about N1.048 billion.
The following year saw the number of victims decline to 4,722, although ransom demands jumped to approximately N48 billion. Payments also increased to N2.56 billion, representing 5.35 per cent of the amount demanded.
The situation changed considerably between July 2025 and June 2026, when the number of victims climbed by about 66 per cent to 7,825. Despite the increase in abductions, ransom demands fell to N22.856 billion, while payments surged to N7.779 billion.
SBM recorded 1,411 kidnapping incidents during the period, alongside 302 incidents involving security operations against kidnappers. At least 1,142 people were killed in the combined incidents.
Two major mass kidnappings accounted for a large share of ransom payments during the year. About N5 billion was reportedly paid for 416 people abducted in Ngoshe, Borno State, while another N2 billion was paid for 315 pupils and staff taken from St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State.
The combined N7 billion payment from the two incidents represented roughly 90 per cent of all ransom payments recorded in 2025/26 and about 61 per cent of the total documented over the three-year period.
The report also identified significant differences among kidnapping groups. Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad faction was linked to eight ransom cases involving N9.205 billion in demands and N7.002 billion in payments.
Bandits and other profit-driven kidnappers, meanwhile, were linked to 146 cases in which N13.492 billion was demanded, but only N719.4 million was reportedly paid. ISWAP accounted for N53 million in payments, while suspected Fulani herdsmen were linked to N5 million.
SBM said the figures point to two broad patterns within Nigeria’s kidnapping economy: widespread criminal abductions where ransom demands are often negotiated down, and fewer but highly organised operations capable of securing substantial payments.
The organisation also warned that the N11.4 billion recorded may not represent the full scale of ransom payments, as many transactions are kept private and never reported.
Northern Nigeria remained the main hotspot, accounting for 7,334 of the 7,825 victims recorded in 2025/26. Zamfara had the highest number, with 1,921 victims across 236 incidents, followed by Sokoto with 1,157, Kaduna with 814 and Katsina with 559.
Mass abductions also became more prominent, accounting for 79.5 per cent of victims during the latest reporting period. SBM said the trend showed that kidnapping was increasingly affecting ordinary Nigerians, while school abductions continued to pose risks to education, agriculture and public confidence.
The report further noted that paying ransom did not always guarantee the safe release of victims. At least six cases recorded during the period involved victims who were killed despite ransom payments.
It also highlighted cases where individuals delivering ransom money were themselves targeted.
National Publicity Secretary of the Young Progressives Party, Wale Egbeola-Martins, called for stronger intelligence-led and preventive security measures, arguing that authorities must move beyond responding to kidnappings only after they occur.
