Statistics shows that North and Southern West regions of Nigeria top the list of regions that paid most ransom to kidnappers in 2024.
According to the statistics, the North West region actually paid the highest ransom in 2024, with an estimated ₦1.17 trillion . The North Central region followed with ₦469.74 billion, while the South West region paid ₦248.78 billion.
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated ransom payments by region in 2024:
North West: ₦1.17 trillion
North Central: ₦469.74 billion
South West: ₦248.78 billion
North East: ₦166.14 billion
South South: ₦90.05 billion
South East: ₦85.44 billion
It’s worth noting that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also released a report on crime and security in Nigeria, which showed that Nigerians paid an estimated total of 2.23 trillion Naira as ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024 ². The report also highlighted that 65% of households affected by kidnapping incidents resorted to paying ransoms to secure the release of victims.
The Statistician-General of the Federation was even invited for questioning by the Department of State Services (DSS) following the release of the report .
