The recent revelation by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigerians paid an astonishing N2.23 trillion in ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024 is a stark reminder of the country’s worsening security crisis. This alarming figure, disclosed in the NBS’s Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS), paints a grim picture of the scale of criminal activities in Nigeria. The report also recorded a staggering 51.89 million crime incidents across Nigerian households during the same period, underscoring the nation’s deep-seated insecurity.
Kidnapping, once a sporadic menace, has now evolved into a thriving and booming industry. Criminal groups operate with impunity, abducting individuals and demanding exorbitant ransoms. The breakdown of crime incidents in the survey reveals that the North-west zone experienced the highest number of crimes, with over 14.4 million cases, followed closely by the North-central zone, which reported 8.8 million incidents. In contrast, the South-east zone recorded the lowest number of cases at 6.18 million. These figures highlight the uneven distribution of crime across Nigeria, though no zone remains untouched by this epidemic of lawlessness.
Beyond the staggering financial loss, the psychological and emotional toll on Nigerian households is immeasurable. Families are forced into heartbreaking dilemmas, scrambling to gather funds to secure the release of loved ones. According to the report, 65% of households affected by kidnappings had to pay a ransom, with the average ransom demand reaching N2.67 million. The collective N2.23 trillion paid in ransoms could have been invested in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Instead, it has enriched criminal networks, further emboldening them to continue their nefarious activities.
Even more troubling is the widespread lack of confidence in law enforcement agencies to contain the criminal enterprise. The NBS report indicates that only 36.3% of households that experienced home robberies reported the incidents to the police. The percentage of those who reported kidnappings is even lower, reflecting deep-seated distrust in the ability of security agencies to act decisively. Many Nigerians believe that law enforcement is ineffective, compromised, or outright complicit in criminal activities. Corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and inadequate resources have rendered the police largely ineffective in tackling the kidnapping crisis. This lack of trust has led to a dangerous situation where victims and their families prefer to negotiate directly with kidnappers than seek help from the authorities.
Addressing Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis requires urgent and comprehensive reforms. The government must take drastic action to restore security and public confidence in law enforcement. Several measures must be implemented to curb this growing menace:
First, intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation must be prioritised. Security agencies, including the police, military, and Department of State Services (DSS), must work collaboratively to dismantle kidnapping syndicates. The lack of coordination among security forces has allowed criminals to exploit gaps in the system. A well-structured intelligence network would enable swift and decisive action against kidnappers before they strike.
Second, police reform is imperative. The Nigeria Police Force must undergo a comprehensive overhaul to improve efficiency, transparency, and public trust. Officers should receive better training, modern equipment, and improved working conditions. Community policing initiatives should be expanded to foster a closer relationship between law enforcement and local communities, making it easier for residents to report crimes without fear of reprisal.
Additionally, the government must implement strict policies and harsher penalties for kidnapping and related crimes. The current legal framework does not offer sufficient deterrence, as many criminals operate with the belief that they can evade justice. Those caught engaging in or aiding and abetting kidnappings must face swift and severe punishment. The judiciary must also expedite the prosecution of kidnapping cases to ensure justice is served promptly.
Another crucial step is community engagement. Many kidnapping operations are facilitated by informants within communities who provide criminals with intelligence on potential victims. To counter this, the government should strengthen local security networks and encourage community members to collaborate with security agencies. Whistleblower protection programmes should be established to protect those who come forward with critical information.
Beyond security measures, economic development must be a key component of the fight against kidnapping. High levels of poverty and unemployment create a breeding ground for criminal activities. Many young Nigerians, lacking legitimate means of livelihood, turn to kidnapping as a lucrative alternative. To combat this, the government must invest in job creation, skill acquisition programmes, and economic empowerment initiatives. A society with fewer unemployed youths is less likely to experience high crime rates.
The rise of Nigeria’s trillion-naira kidnapping industry is not just a security crisis—it is a national embarrassment. No country with aspirations of economic growth and global relevance can afford to let criminal enterprises flourish at this scale. The government, security agencies, and citizens must unite in the fight against this menace. Silence and inaction are no longer options. The time has come for a decisive, sustained crackdown on kidnappers and their enablers.
The country risks descending further into a state where lawlessness becomes the norm, if something urgent is not done. The hope of a peaceful, prosperous Nigeria depends on the urgent dismantling of this criminal enterprise, ensuring that every citizen can live free from the fear of abduction.
