August 26, 2025 — Nigerians have paid at least N2.56 billion in ransoms to kidnappers between July 2024 and June 2025, underscoring the alarming rise of the country’s kidnap-for-ransom industry.
According to recent security data, the figure represents a staggering 144 percent increase compared to the N1.05 billion ransom payments recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. The surge reflects the worsening insecurity across the country, with kidnappers targeting highways, farmlands, schools, and residential areas.
Analysts say the ballooning ransom payments highlight both the growing boldness of criminal gangs and the vulnerability of communities, many of which resort to fundraising through family, friends, and community contributions to secure the release of their loved ones.
The human cost of the crisis has also deepened, as several victims reportedly lost their lives in captivity despite ransom payments. Security experts warn that the booming kidnap economy threatens Nigeria’s social fabric and economic stability, as fear of abduction continues to disrupt education, business, and travel.
The Federal Government has repeatedly assured citizens of ongoing efforts to combat the menace, including strengthening security operations and exploring advanced intelligence-gathering mechanisms. However, civil society groups argue that the surge in ransom payments reflects a need for more decisive action, including better community policing, improved welfare for security operatives, and policies addressing poverty and unemployment, which fuel criminal activities.
