Nigerians paid N2.23tn in ransoms to bandits – NBS Report

Nigerians paid N2.23tn in ransoms to bandits – NBS Report

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has unveiled alarming figures in its latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, revealing that Nigerians paid an estimated N2.23 trillion in ransoms to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024.

The report sheds light on the increasing rate of crime incidents across the country and the growing distrust in law enforcement.

During the one-year period, Nigerian households recorded a staggering 51.89 million crime incidents. The North-West emerged as the region with the highest number of cases, accounting for 14.4 million incidents, while the North-Central followed with 8.8 million cases. On the other hand, the South-East recorded the least crime, with 6.18 million incidents reported.

Kidnapping has become a critical security challenge in Nigeria. The NBS report indicates that 4.14 million households were affected by kidnapping incidents within the period.

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Shockingly, 65% of the victims reported paying ransoms, with an average ransom of N2.67 million per case. This contributed to the nationwide total of N2.23 trillion in ransom payments.

Despite these startling numbers, underreporting remains a major issue. Only 36.3% of home robbery victims and a similarly low percentage of kidnapping victims reported their experiences to the authorities. The survey cites a lack of trust in the effectiveness of law enforcement as a major reason for this trend.

The report highlights Nigerians’ limited confidence in formal security agencies, which further complicates the fight against crime. Many victims expressed skepticism about the ability of the police to intervene effectively, leading to widespread underreporting of incidents. This mistrust is particularly evident among victims of sexual offences, with only 22.7% reporting such crimes to the authorities.

The survey revealed that rural areas are disproportionately affected by insecurity. Out of the total crime incidents, 26.53 million occurred in rural areas, compared to 25.36 million incidents in urban areas. Many rural communities have turned to local vigilantes, who are perceived as more reliable than formal security forces.

The report also sheds light on the types of crimes Nigerians faced during the survey period. Phone theft was the most prevalent, affecting 13.8% of the population, while other offences, including sexual crimes, continued to show low reporting rates.

 

Nigerians paid N2.23tn in ransoms to bandits – NBS Report