• Over 3,500 kidnappings were reported in Nigeria in 2021, largely driven by terrorist groups.
• Food prices surged as farmers in Northern Nigeria abandoned fields due to insecurity.
• Despite government efforts, public frustration grows as kidnappings persist across the country.

Between 2020 and 2024, Nigeria has had a worrying surge in kidnappings. The inhumane act is primarily perpetuated by bandits and terrorist organizations.

According to the survey of SBM Intelligence, over 2,300 kidnapping cases were reported in the first half of 2021. The report also revealed that N10 billion ($6.1 million) was demanded as ransom from the victims and their families.

Criminal groups have also turned abducting humans into a lucrative business. They make money by kidnapping people and then asking their relatives or the government for huge ransoms. This sad trend occurs more in the northern and central parts of Nigeria due to increased insecurity.

A report by SBM Intelligence also revealed that between July 2022 and June 2023, 3,620 people were abducted in 582 kidnap-related incidents in Nigeria and at least N5 billion ($3 million) were reported as ransom demands. Verified ransom pay-outs amounted to N302 million ($183,000). However, this figure could be higher due to underreporting.

One of the major factors behind these kidnappings is the decline in the economic situation together with police inefficiency in some areas. Even though these abductions have been observed among different categories of the population, children and students have been the most affected. For example, in Feb. 2021, 279 female students between the ages of 10 to 17 years old were captured from a school in Zamfara State, revealing the increasing vulnerability of children in northern Nigeria.

Economic and social impact

Kidnappings have become rampant thus affecting the Nigerian economy and society in general. Businesses especially those operating in the northern states which are most affected by kidnappings have had a hard time running their affairs. Farmers are also targets. This has led to them abandoning their farmlands, leading to food insecurity in the country. 

Families suffer greatly because of this menace called kidnapping since the majority sell assets or borrow money in order to pay for the ransom. One of the alarming trends has been attacks on schools where mass kidnappings of students have led to the shutdown of hundreds of schools in the northern region.

According to UNICEF, insecurity has caused the closure of 11,536 schools in Nigeria since Dec 2020, thus leaving many children from school and resulting in long-term repercussions on society.

Government response and public sentiment

The strategies that have been deployed by the Nigerian government to address the growing incidents of kidnapping have been criticized.

Though the government mobilized its armed forces like the military and police in 2021 through operations like “Operation Puff Adder” to deal with banditry and abductions, the result has been so insignificant. Kidnappings persist unprovoked in many areas in Nigeria, making the people angry and agitated. 

The government needs to address the underlying cause of this issue, such as poverty, unemployment and a lack of developed minds. If these are not resolved, every effort would just be as though one is pouring water in a basket.