Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Nigeria Kidnappers Raise Nearly $5.8 Million, Study Finds
A security group studied kidnapping in Nigeria over one year.
It said more than 7,800 people were taken, and at least 1,142 people were killed.
Kidnappers received nearly $5.8 million in confirmed ransom payments.
The real amount may be higher because many payments were not reported.
Armed bandits and Islamist militants kidnapped people from schools, villages and roads.
Boko Haram received most of the recorded ransom money in northeastern Nigeria.
A school attack in Niger State involved 315 pupils and staff.
The report said kidnapping is hurting education, farming and people’s trust in the government.
Nigeria’s president ordered security forces to rescue hundreds of people recently abducted in Niger State.
SBM Intelligence estimated that 7,825 people were kidnapped in Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, a 66% increase from the previous year.
At least 1,142 people were killed, while confirmed ransom payments more than tripled to 7.78 billion naira, or about $5.79 million.
Boko Haram reportedly received 90% of recorded ransom payments in the northeast, totaling about 7 billion naira.
The report said kidnappers targeted schools, villages and major roads, with 315 pupils and staff abducted from a Niger State school in November.
Nigeria’s president ordered security forces to rescue up to 600 civilians kidnapped the previous week in Niger State.
- Who
- Civilian kidnapping victims, armed bandits and Islamist militants, including a Boko Haram faction; SBM Intelligence compiled the findings.
- What
- A report estimated 7,825 kidnappings, at least 1,142 deaths and 7.78 billion naira in confirmed ransom payments during the year studied.
- When
- The figures cover July 2025 through June 2026; the report was released on August 26, and the Niger State mass abduction occurred the previous week.
- Where
- Nigeria, particularly the northeast, northwest and north-central Niger State.
- Why
- Kidnappers seek ransom payments, while the report said the crime is undermining education, farming and public trust and helping fund militant groups.
Security Analysts and SBM Intelligence
Government Response and Position
Effectiveness of security policy
Security Analysts and SBM Intelligence
SBM and analysts said the recent kidnapping wave shows that President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to tackle insecurity has not produced tangible progress.
Government Response and Position
President Bola Tinubu ordered security forces to rescue as many as 600 civilians abducted in Niger State; the presidency and military did not immediately comment on the report’s findings.
How to reduce kidnapping
Security Analysts and SBM Intelligence
SBM said Nigeria needs a coordinated strategy targeting both the profitability and underlying causes of kidnapping.
Government Response and Position
The government’s reported immediate response was to direct security forces to conduct rescue operations, while no broader response to SBM’s recommendation was provided in the article.
Impact of the crime
Security Analysts and SBM Intelligence
SBM said school abductions and ransom-driven violence are damaging education, farming, public trust and national stability.
Government Response and Position
The government did not publicly respond to those assessments in the report, although insecurity is expected to be a major issue in the next elections.
- People kidnapped
- 7,825 between July 2025 and June 2026
- Year-on-year change
- Kidnappings increased 66% from the previous year
- Deaths
- At least 1,142 people were killed
- Confirmed ransom
- 7.78 billion naira, approximately $5.79 million
- Largest reported recipient
- A Boko Haram faction received about 90% of recorded ransom payments in the northeast
- School abduction
- 315 pupils and staff were seized from a school in Papiri, Niger State, in November
- Currency conversion
- The report used an exchange rate of $1 to 1,344.7400 naira