News Editor
In the first half of 2021, a total sum of N10 billion was demanded for ransom with a total number of 2,371 persons kidnapped in Nigeria.
This was contained in a report by SBM Intelligence, a geopolitical and economic research firm in its 2021 half-year kidnap report which highlighted that Niger, Katsina, and Kaduna States recorded the most cases of kidnap.
The kidnapping ransoms are used to fund weapons which pose a challenge to Nigeria’s security, affecting multiple sectors of life, especially food.
Naira metrics reported last week that the prices of major food items in Lagos markets continue to maintain an upward trajectory, as traders attribute the surge to the destruction of farm products caused by floods and the problem of insecurity in the northern parts of the country.
Key highlights of the report include:
- A total of 2,371 people were kidnapped in a total of 281 separate incidents across all 36 states of Nigeria and the federal capital during the first half of 2021.
- 237 people lost their lives in these kidnap attempts.
- The report stated that Niger State saw the most attempt at kidnap (28), the highest number of kidnap victims (643), and the greatest number of people killed in attempts (58), Katsina, and Kaduna also followed with having the most reported cases.
- SBM stated that the total ransoms demanded topped N10 billion ($19.96 million as of 30 June), citing that they have not been able to accurately compute the ransoms paid.
- February witnessed the highest number of victims kidnapped monthly at 605, with the lowest in January at 284. The Month of June witnessed reported kidnaps of 277.
Meanwhile, The Federal Government last week also announced the approval of an Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) for Zamfara to help in the fight against insecurity.
