Report: 430 Civilians Killed, 3,620 Abducted, N5bn Demanded in 582 Crimes in One Year

*Nigeria missing in list of Africa’s most peaceful nations

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

At least 430 civilians were killed, while over N5 billion was demanded from 3,620 persons in 582 kidnap-related cases in the last one year, according to a new report by SBM Intelligence.
This is as the insecurity in Nigeria has led to the country’s name missing from the 15 most peaceful countries in Africa, the 2023 Global Peace Index (GPI), has revealed.
The SBM report titled: “The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry 2023 Update: Follow the Money,” also indicated that 19 security personnel were killed during crossfires while 121 of the suspects were gunned down.
In the report, SBM, an Africa-focused geopolitical research and strategic communications consulting firm, stated that it got the data from respondents and publicly available information, including regulators, trade associations, research partners, newspapers and government agencies.
While admitting that the ransom demand figure could be far higher since many cases were unreported, SBM noted that of the N5 billion demanded, about N302 million was paid to the criminals.

In the study spanning July 2022 to June 2023, the firm stated that Nigeria currently faces security crises across all six geopolitical zones, including Boko Haram, bandits, criminal youth gangs, sea piracy and armed separatists’ agitation, with a number of the country’s security threats overlapping.
“The Boko Haram insurgency is expanding westwards, and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra’s agitation is becoming more dangerous. Ransom payment has become the dominant motivation for kidnapping due to Nigeria’s struggling economy, rising inflation and high unemployment rates.
“Between July 2022 and June 2023, 3,620 people were abducted in 582 kidnap-related incidents in Nigeria and at least N5 billion ($6,410,256 as of 30 June 2023) were reported as ransom demands, while verified ransom pay-outs amounted to N302 million ($387,179), or six per cent of what was demanded. However, this figure could be higher due to underreporting,” it said.

In some cases, the SBM research found that kidnappers opted for non-monetary ransom, like foodstuffs, notably, in the North-west and North-central regions.
“This aligns with Nigeria’s widespread poverty and its correlation with areas where food is commonly demanded. Additionally, these regions have seen a surge in motorcycle demands due to economic opportunities and possibly because of their potential use in terror activities,” it added.
Catholic priests took the brunt of the abductions for money crimes, encountering 21 kidnap cases during the period.
“Kaduna was the most dangerous state for priests, who were often kidnapped during services. Abductors demanded an average of around N50 million per priest in the past, but the church no longer discloses ransom negotiations to deter further attacks,” it stressed.
The document pointed out that the North-central region recorded higher ransom amounts, notably in Nasarawa, where targeted abductions yielded maximum ransoms with minimal resistance.

The South-south’s low ransom payments, it said, may indicate efficient police intervention or victim silence.
“We believe that the latter is more likely as kidnap victims fear re-abduction,” the report added.
At the state level, it noted that Edo kidnappers sought high ransoms but received little. Conversely, victims in Taraba, it said, paid the most, primarily due to a single incident.
“Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger had the highest per capita abduction rates, often involving mass community abductions. Conversely, Borno reported minimal deaths due to Boko Ha

ram’s targeted and sophisticated tactics.
“Across the country, civilians bore the brunt, with 430 fatalities, while security agents and kidnappers themselves accounted for 19 and 121 deaths, respectively,” SBM affirmed.

It explained that the figures reflected Nigeria’s security agencies’ struggle to contain kidnappers for ransom, but noted that the number of kidnappers killed had not served as a credible deterrent for would-be kidnappers.
“This shows that the industry’s profitability outweighs the perceived threat of state intervention and police rescues. The current economic difficulties, such as high inflation and a weak currency, would lead to more desperation and a hike in ransom demands, leaving impoverished families struggling to save their loved ones,” the report said.
From previous versions of the report, it stressed that a downward trend between the number of ransom demands and payments had been observed.
“Between June 2011 and March 2020, at least $18.34 million was paid to kidnappers as ransom in Nigeria, and a larger proportion of the figure (just below $11 million) was paid out between January 2016 and March 2020.
“Based on what we could verify, between July 2021 and June 2022, no fewer than 3,420 people were abducted across Nigeria, with 564 others killed in violence associated with abductions.

“In the ensuing period, N6.531 billion ($10.24 million based on July 2022 exchange rates) was demanded in exchange for the release of captives, while a fraction of that sum, N653.7 million ($1.025 million based on July 2022 exchange rates) was paid as ransom.
“Whereas in the current report, between July 2022 and June 2023, the reported ransom demand was the equivalent of at least $6,410,256, but the actual ransom obtained amounted to $387,179. This decline tracks with the worsening economic situation in the country,” it added.

The past year, SBM intelligence said, has also shown that one is more likely to get kidnapped in Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna than elsewhere.
“Given the out-of-control banditry in those subnational units, the three states have the largest number of kidnapped persons. Mass abductions from community raids are also more likely to occur in those three states than in other states.

“A kidnap victim or target is also more likely to be killed in those three states. Of the 570 people killed in kidnap or kidnap-related incidents in the past year, Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara accounted for the most deaths,” the report explained.

The report recommended that efforts to combat kidnapping must be comprehensive to address the root causes and consequences alike by strengthening law enforcement, improving socio-economic conditions, and fostering education.

 “International cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and stringent legal frameworks can also help to curb cross-border kidnapping networks. Kidnapping is a serious crime that has a significant economic impact.

“The cost of ransom payments, lost wages, and security measures to prevent kidnapping can be staggering. In addition, the psychological and emotional toll on victims and their families can be devastating,” it noted.

Meanwhile, the security crisis in Nigeria has led to the country’s name missing from the 15 most peaceful countries in Africa, according to the 2023 Global Peace Index (GPI).

GPI, in July, presented its rankings for 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness.

It ranked Mauritius as the most peaceful in Africa, while Botswana and Sierra Leone came second and third, respectively.

Globally, the 10 most peaceful countries in the world were: Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria and Singapore. Also listed were: Portugal, Slovenia, Japan and Switzerland.