A new report by SBM Intelligence has unveiled alarming statistics regarding the state of kidnapping in Nigeria, revealing that 7,825 individuals were abducted and at least 1,142 people were killed in 1,411 kidnapping incidents between July 2025 and June 2026. This marks a significant rise in both the frequency and lethality of these crimes compared to the previous year, which recorded 4,722 abductions and 762 fatalities.

The report, titled Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry 2026, indicates that kidnappers demanded a total of N22.856 billion in ransom during this period but only managed to collect N7.779 billion, resulting in a collection rate of 34 percent. The substantial gap between the amounts demanded and received is attributed to negotiations between kidnappers and victims' families, where initial ransom demands are often set deliberately high before being negotiated down to more manageable figures. Additionally, the report suggests that the financial strain on families may lead to alternative arrangements, such as food and supplies, being offered instead of cash.

Zamfara State emerged as the epicenter of these incidents, accounting for 236 kidnapping incidents and 1,921 abductions, which represents 16.74 percent of all reported cases in Nigeria. Following Zamfara, Katsina recorded 187 incidents with 559 victims, while Sokoto had 179 incidents involving 1,157 victims. Kaduna State also featured prominently, with 134 incidents resulting in 814 abductions.

The report notes that the relatively lower number of victims per incident in Katsina can be partially credited to community-led peace initiatives and the efforts of local vigilante groups, which have proven more effective in combating kidnappers compared to similar efforts in Zamfara.

In a notable finding, Kwara State was highlighted as the first state outside the North-West to report a significant number of kidnappings, with 89 incidents and 265 victims. A major contributing factor was the mass abduction of 176 individuals from Woro and Nuku communities in February 2026, which alone accounted for 66.4 percent of the state's total kidnapping victims.

Conversely, the report indicates that southern Nigeria experiences far fewer kidnapping incidents. For example, Bayelsa recorded no abductions, while Abia had only one incident involving two victims. Even Jigawa, located in the North-West, reported just one case with three victims, attributed to effective government policies aimed at resolving local disputes and improving security.

Overall, the report highlights that the North-West region is the most affected, with 680 incidents, followed by the North-Central with 309 and the North-East with 211. Together, these northern zones account for 85.1 percent of all reported kidnappings. In contrast, the southern regions recorded significantly lower figures, with the South-South having the highest at 89 incidents.

As kidnapping for ransom continues to be a prevalent issue in Nigeria, the report underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to combat this growing threat and restore security across the nation.