SBM Report: Kidnappers Raked in Over ₦2.5bn in Ransom in One Year
By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar
A report by SBM Intelligence has revealed that kidnappers operating across Nigeria collected at least ₦2.57 billion in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025, underscoring the deepening insecurity in the country.
The report, released on December 19, 2025, reviewed key political, security and economic developments across Africa in 2025, with a strong focus on the growing scale of kidnapping as an organised criminal activity in Nigeria.
According to the findings, criminal groups demanded an estimated ₦48 billion in ransom from victims’ families and communities within the period. However, only a fraction of the amount was eventually paid, as many families were unable to meet the often excessive demands.
Security experts quoted in the report warned that the wide gap between ransom demands and actual payments could lead to increased brutality, as kidnappers may prolong captivity or apply harsher measures to force compliance.
The report noted that kidnapping has had severe social and economic consequences, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, which remain the worst affected. It said many families have been forced to sell livestock, farm produce and other personal assets to raise ransom, worsening poverty levels.
It added that the fear of abduction has continued to disrupt commercial activities, discourage investment and weaken public confidence in the ability of government to safeguard lives and property.
SBM Intelligence urged governments at all levels to strengthen security operations, improve intelligence sharing and tackle the root causes of insecurity through job creation, poverty reduction and the enforcement of stricter sanctions against criminal networks.
Security analysts told Katsina Times that without urgent and coordinated action, kidnapping could remain a lucrative venture for criminal gangs, further threatening national stability and development.
