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, SBM Intelligence reports
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.
