The United Nations has voiced strong concern over the rising wave of kidnappings in Nigeria, warning that abductions have increasingly taken on the character of a structured, profit-driven industry.
Speaking on the issue, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, described the continued attacks on civilians by armed groups as unacceptable, noting that young people, students, men and women remain frequent targets.
“We are deeply concerned that so many civilians continue to be held by armed groups,” Dujarric said, adding that violence against non-combatants persists despite repeated condemnations.
Recent incidents underscore the scale of the crisis.
In November, gunmen abducted at least 25 students and killed a teacher during an attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
This was followed by the mass abduction of more than 300 pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State. Some of the victims were later released after spending days in captivity.
According to a new report by SBM Intelligence, kidnappings for ransom generated at least N2.57 billion for criminal groups between July 2024 and June 2025.
The report, titled The Year Ahead at an Inflexion Point, examined key political and economic trends shaping Africa in 2025.
The findings reveal that kidnappers demanded an estimated N48 billion during the period but received about N2.57 billion in actual payments.
SBM Intelligence documented at least 4,722 abductions across 997 incidents, with no fewer than 762 people killed.
The report further noted that while ransom demands surged sharply in naira terms, the actual value realised in dollar terms remained relatively modest due to the depreciation of the naira.
The N2.57 billion paid translates to roughly 1.66 million dollars, only slightly higher than the estimated 1.13 million dollars collected in 2022.
SBM Intelligence added that the persistence of insecurity has allowed kidnapping to evolve into an organised criminal enterprise, posing grave implications for public safety and national stability.
