- The North-West region was the hardest hit
A staggering N2.23tn was paid in ransom by Nigerian families to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
This alarming figure highlights the growing threat posed by kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country.
The NBS’s latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey report revealed that an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded across Nigerian households during the same period. The North-West region was the hardest hit, with 14.4 million cases reported, followed by the North-Central region with 8.8 million incidents.
Rural areas were more affected by crime than urban areas, with 26.53 million crime incidents reported in rural households compared to 25.36 million in urban areas. Kidnapping was a major concern, with 4.14 million households experiencing home robbery. A staggering 65% of those affected by kidnappings were forced to pay ransom to secure the release of their loved ones.
The average ransom paid was N2.67m, contributing to the total of N2.23tn paid by Nigerians to kidnappers during the 12 months. However, despite the prevalence of crime, many victims failed to report incidents to the police, citing a lack of confidence in law enforcement.
The survey also revealed that 21.4% of Nigerians fell victim to crime at the individual level, with phone theft being the most common crime. Additionally, an estimated 1.4 million Nigerians were victims of sexual offences, with most incidents occurring in someone else’s home or the victim’s residence.
The report’s findings underscore the need for urgent action to address the growing threat of kidnapping and other criminal activities in Nigeria.
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