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
00:19ransom between July 2025 and June 2026, more than three times the amount recorded in the previous
00:26year. At least 7,825 people were abducted, a 66% increase while more than 1,100 people were killed,
00:35including 900 civilians. Two mass kidnappings attributed to Boko Haram accounted for almost
00:4290% of the ransom total, according to the report. More than 400 people were abducted in Borno state,
00:49while around 300 pupils and staff were taken from a Catholic school in Niger state.
00:55Kidnappings has become an increasingly lucrative source of income for jihadist and criminal gangs
01:02known as bandits. The North-West remains the hardest in each region, with mass abductions becoming
01:09increasingly common.
01:10The North-West has been increasingly common.
01:10The North-West has been increasingly common.
01:11Dr. damit andabel don, including a national bloke, andисu they don't
