00:00Armed groups in Nigeria collected nearly $6 million in ransom payment over the past year
00:06as kidnappings surged across Africa's most populous country, according to a new study.
00:11The Lagos-based SBM Intelligence Consultancy estimate that about $5.8 million were paid in ransom
00:19between July 2025 and June 2026, more than three times the amount recorded in the previous year.
00:26At least 7,825 people were abducted, a 66% increase, while more than 1,100 people were killed, including
00:35900 civilians.
00:37Two mass kidnappings attributed to Boko Haram accounted for almost 90% of the ransom total, according to the report.
00:45More than 400 people were abducted in Borno State, while around 300 pupils and staff were taken from a Catholic
00:54school in Niger State.
00:55Kidnappings has become an increasingly lucrative source of income for jihadist and criminal gangs known as bandits.
01:03The Northwest remains the hardest-hit region, with mass abductions becoming increasingly common.
