SDM intelligent report revealed that no fewer than 1,142 people were reported dead across 1,713 kidnap and kidnap-related incidents between July 2025 and June 2026, and a total of N7.8 billion in ransom paid.
According to the report released on Thursday, titled ‘The capture of the kidnap economy,’ the country recorded no fewer than 7,825 abductions with 895 civilians killed across all incidents stated. This figure, according to the report,
It noted that during this timeframe, the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad faction of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group collected 90% of this ransom.
“Nigeria’s kidnap industry has undergone a fundamental shift. Between July 2025 and June 2026, no fewer than 7,825 people were abducted across 1,713 kidnap and kidnap-related incidents, a 66% increase in victims from the previous cycle, with at least 1,142 people killed.
“Between July 2025 and June 2026, 7,825 people were abducted, and N7.8 billion was paid. A single Boko Haram faction collected 90% of that ransom from just eight incidents — two mass abductions accounted for N7 billion,” the report partly read.
Accounting for the N7bn total ransom paid during this period, the report tied the figure to two major incidents — the N5bn ransom from Ngoshe, Borno State, and the N2bn from Papiri, Niger State.
It read, “Ransom demanded fell from N48 billion to N22.9 billion, yet the amount actually paid more than tripled, from N2.56 billion to N7.78 billion. The collection rate jumped from 5.35% to 34%. This is not because kidnappers are getting better at negotiating. One group, the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) faction of Boko Haram, collected 90% of all ransom paid from just eight incidents.
“Two abductions drove the year’s total: the N5 billion ransom for 416 captives taken
from Ngoshe, Borno, and the N2 billion paid for 315 pupils and staff abducted from St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger. Between them, these accounted for N7 billion, almost the entire national ransom bill.”
Based on geopolitical zones, the Northwest recorded the highest figures in incidents, victims and deaths.
“Zamfara recorded 236 kidnapping incidents and 1,921 victims, nearly a quarter of the national total. The North accounts for 93.7% of all abducted persons, while the South’s share has shrunk to just 6.3%,” the report stated.
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