7,825 Nigerians Kidnapped in One Year as Ransom Payments Hit ₦7.8bn — Report

At least 7,825 people were kidnapped across Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, a 66% increase from the previous year, according to a new report by SBM Intelligence.

The research and strategic intelligence firm also found that victims and their families paid at least ₦7.78 billion in ransom during the 12-month period, while kidnappers demanded ₦22.86 billion.

The report, titled “The Capture of Nigeria’s Kidnap Economy,” said at least 1,142 people were killed during the period under review, including 895 civilians.

SBM said the figures came from 1,411 kidnapping incidents and 302 kidnap-related incidents involving security operations against abductors.

“Nigeria’s kidnap industry has undergone a fundamental shift,” the report said.

“Between July 2025 and June 2026, no fewer than 7,825 people were abducted across 1,713 kidnap and kidnap-related incidents, a 66% increase in victims from the previous cycle.”

The report found that the amount of ransom actually paid more than tripled from ₦2.56 billion in the previous reporting period to ₦7.78 billion.

It said the ransom collection rate also rose from 5.35% to 34%, despite the total amount demanded falling from ₦48 billion.

The sharp increase in payments was largely driven by a faction of Boko Haram known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, or JAS.

According to SBM, the faction collected about ₦7 billion, representing 90% of all recorded ransom payments, from only eight incidents.

Two mass abductions accounted for most of the money.

SBM said 416 people abducted from Ngoshe in Borno state generated a ₦5 billion ransom, while ₦2 billion was reportedly paid after 315 pupils and staff were abducted from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state.

“Two abductions drove the year’s total,” SBM said.

“Between them, these accounted for ₦7 billion, almost the entire national ransom bill.”

The North accounted for 93.7% of all victims, with 7,334 people abducted.

Zamfara recorded the highest number, with 1,921 victims from 236 incidents.

SBM also found that mass abductions had become the dominant pattern, accounting for 6,222 victims, or 79.5% of the total.

The report warned that ransom payments could be helping to finance terrorism and sustain the groups carrying out the attacks.