Nigeria’s kidnap for ransom crisis generated at least N2.57 billion for criminal groups between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a new report by SBM Intelligence.
The report, titled The Year Ahead at an Inflexion Point, analysed economic and political developments that shaped Africa in 2025.
It found that kidnappers in Nigeria demanded an estimated N48 billion during the 12-month period but received N2.57 billion.
According to the report, abductions have evolved into a structured, profit-driven industry amid worsening insecurity across the country.
SBM Intelligence recorded at least 4,722 abductions across 997 incidents during the period under review, with no fewer than 762 people killed.
While ransom demands surged sharply in naira terms, the report noted that the actual value realised by kidnappers in dollar terms remained modest due to currency depreciation.
According to the analysis, the N2.57 billion paid in ransom translates to about 1.66 million dollars, only slightly higher than the estimated 1.13 million dollars equivalent of N653.7 million collected in 2022.
“Whereas N653.7 million in 2022 equalled approximately $1.13 million, the far larger sums now extracted yield only a modest increase in dollar terms, prompting criminals to inflate naira demands,” it stated.
The Northwest remained the epicentre of Nigeria’s kidnap for ransom economy, accounting for 425 incidents or 42.6 percent of total cases and 2,938 victims, representing 62.2 percent of those abducted nationwide.
Mass abductions, defined as incidents involving more than five victims, made up about 23 percent of all kidnapping cases and were overwhelmingly concentrated in northern states.
SBM Intelligence said these incidents often involved entire villages, with victims sometimes coerced into working on bandit-controlled farms and mining sites.
The scale of these operations has allowed criminal groups to maximise leverage during ransom negotiations while spreading fear across communities.
Beyond ransom-related crimes, the report highlighted persistent and large-scale violence across several regions in 2025.
In the Northcentral, attacks linked to Fulani herdsmen continued through March, with Benue State particularly affected. A single attack in Katsina Ala Local Government Area on March 7 killed 15 people.
Zamfara State saw repeated deadly incidents, including an attack in Tsafe Local Government Area on March 13 that killed 40 people, alongside mass kidnappings in Maru Local Government Area where 38 people were abducted the same day.
April and May marked some of the deadliest months of the year, with attacks in Plateau and Benue States killing over 100 people combined, while mass abductions of up to 100 individuals were recorded in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto States.
April and May marked some of the deadliest months of the year, with attacks in Plateau and Benue States killing over 100 people combined, while mass abductions of up to 100 individuals were recorded in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto States.
SBM Intelligence concluded that Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis is no longer a series of isolated criminal acts but an organised enterprise operating with increasing efficiency and impunity.
The report warned that beyond the humanitarian toll, the growing ransom economy poses deeper economic risks, distorts local livelihoods and further undermines state authority in already fragile regions.
Nigeria has seen a surge in violent attacks and mass abductions in recent times, prompting calls for drastic actions from the government.