7,000+ Nigerians Abducted in a Year as Bandits Seek N11bn.
In a span of one year, at least 7,568 Nigerians were abducted in 1,130 incidents across the country, with bandits demanding nearly N11 billion in ransom, according to a new report by SBM Intel. The report, titled “Grim Reaping: Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry,” revealed that kidnappers received only N1 billion of the total amount demanded.
The analysis highlighted that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had the highest ransom demands, followed by Lagos and Kaduna, while the Southeast had the highest ransom payment and collection rates overall. The report also noted that the increasing number of kidnapping incidents points to widespread poverty and economic challenges in Nigeria. Zamfara led the number of reported incidents, with entire villages or commuter groups often being targeted by bandits.
SBM Intel advocates for a coordinated government effort to address the economic crisis and prevent kidnapping from becoming an entrenched norm in Nigeria.
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