Kidnappers in Nigeria collected more than $5 million in ransom payments over the past year, according to a report released by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based intelligence group. Between July 2025 and June 2026, an estimated 7.78 billion naira, equivalent to approximately $5.8 million, was paid to secure the release of kidnapped individuals. During the same period, 7,825 people were abducted, marking a 66% increase from the previous year.
Security analyst Kehinde Giwa of SBM Intelligence stated that each ransom payment contributes to the perpetuation of kidnapping incidents. The report highlights that Nigeria is facing a multifaceted security crisis, with nearly 21 kidnapping incidents occurring daily. Abductions are a common tactic employed by militant groups and armed groups, often referred to as bandits, particularly in the northwest and north-central regions of the country. These groups target civilians, including schoolchildren, to exert pressure on the government and obtain financial gains.
The motivations behind the bandit groups are often linked to conflicts between former herders and farming communities, exacerbated by dwindling resources. In addition to these kidnappings, Nigeria's northeast region has been grappling with an insurgency by Islamic militants for over a decade.
Abba Bukar, a resident of Maiduguri in Borno state, shared his experience of being abducted in June near a university and held captive for approximately four weeks. His family paid around 2 million naira (about $1,500) for his release, a sum that required selling belongings and borrowing money, leaving the family to face ongoing economic hardship.
In response to the escalating security issues, the United States and Nigeria have formed a military partnership. As part of this collaboration, U.S. troops were deployed to Nigeria in February to advise the Nigerian military, and drones were deployed in March. These initiatives aim to address the complex security challenges confronting the West African nation.