Nigeria: Over 7,000 People Kidnapped Across Nigeria, Boko Haram Got 90 Percent of Ransom - - Report

What the report says

SBM Intelligence, a Nigerian research firm, said kidnapping for ransom remained widespread across the country over the 12 months from July 2025 to June 2026. In a report released on 27 August and carried by Premium Times and AllAfrica, the group estimated that 7,825 people were abducted in 1,411 incidents, with at least N7.78 billion paid in ransom. It also said 963 people were killed in kidnapping-related incidents, including 68 security personnel.

The report said Boko Haram, through its Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad faction, accounted for more than 90% of ransom payments during the period, receiving about N7 billion from eight incidents. By contrast, the report placed the rest of the ransom total in the hands of other kidnappers and smaller armed groups across 146 incidents. SBM also noted that ransom demands fell from the previous year, but actual payments rose sharply.

The findings suggested that the kidnapping economy has spread nationwide, although the north still accounted for most cases and civilian deaths. The North-West recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by the North-Central and North-East. Several states, including Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Borno and Kogi, were highlighted as major hotspots.

The report also pointed to a limited official response, saying there were far fewer anti-kidnapping operations than incidents. The figures matter because they underline how ransom-driven abductions continue to fund armed groups and deepen insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria, where banditry and insurgency overlap.