SBM Report Says Kidnappers Collected N7.78bn In One Year

A new SBM Intelligence report says kidnappers collected about N7.78bn in ransom across Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026.

The report, titled The Capture of Nigeria’s Kidnap Economy, put total ransom demands at N22.856bn during the period, meaning about 34 per cent of the demanded amount was paid. Vanguard reported the collected figure as N7.779bn.

Punch reported that SBM recorded 7,825 kidnapping victims across 1,411 incidents, with northern states accounting for 93.7 per cent of all victims. The report listed Zamfara, Sokoto and Borno among the states with the highest numbers of victims.

The research firm said its data was compiled from desk research and interviews, using publicly available information from government agencies, regulators, newspapers, trade associations and research partners.

The state-by-state breakdown showed heavy pressure across parts of the North West and North East. Punch reported 559 victims in Katsina, 496 in Niger and 412 in Kogi within the period, while Kwara recorded a high ransom-demand figure linked to activity around Woro and Wawa.

Sources: Vanguard, Punch