Nigeria's Escalating Insecurity: N2.2 Trillion Paid in Ransoms within a Year

Nigerians paid a staggering total of N2.2 trillion in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This figure reflects the growing level of insecurity in the country.

The most recent Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey Report from NBS highlights this alarming trend. The survey revealed that households affected by kidnapping incidents bore this financial burden, underscoring the nation's increasing criminal threat.

During the reference period, an estimated 51.89 million crime occurrences were reported across Nigerian households. Of these, the North-West region recorded the highest number of incidents, with 14.4 million cases reported. The North-Central region followed with 8.8 million cases, while the South-East had the lowest number, at 6.18 million reported events.

The survey also found that crime was more prevalent in rural areas than in urban centers. Rural households experienced 26.53 million crime events, compared to 25.36 million in urban areas.

Home robberies impacted 4.14 million households, further highlighting the severity of the insecurity challenge. The average ransom amount paid per incident was N2,670,693, leading to a total estimated ransom of N2,231,772,563,507 within the period.