World News
Nigerian kidnappers collected over $5 million in ransoms over one year, report says
Data from SBM Intelligence indicates a 66% rise in abductions across Nigeria amid ongoing regional security challenges.
The short version
- A report by Lagos-based intelligence firm SBM Intelligence found that kidnappers in Nigeria collected 7.78 billion naira ($5.8 million) in ransom payments between July 2025 and June 2026.
- A total of 7,825 people were abducted during the period, representing a 66% increase compared to the previous year.
- The abductions stem from a complex security crisis involving armed bandit groups in the northwest and north-central regions alongside a long-running Islamist insurgency in the northeast.
- It remains uncertain whether a recent U.S.-Nigeria military partnership involving U.S. advisors and drones will effectively curb the growing rate of abductions.
Key facts
- SBM Intelligence reported that 7.78 billion naira ($5.8 million) was paid in ransoms for kidnapped individuals in Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- The report documented 7,825 kidnappings during the 12-month timeframe, marking a 66% increase from the prior year.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- SBM Intelligence security analyst Kehinde Giwa estimated that Nigeria experiences nearly 21 kidnapping incidents every day.[Associated Press · ABC News]
- The United States established a security partnership with Nigeria, deploying military advisers in February and drones in March.[Associated Press · ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The exact total amount of ransom paid nationwide may exceed reported estimates, as not all abductions or payments are officially recorded or publicly disclosed.[Associated Press · ABC News]