According to a report by The Nation Newspaper, kidnappers across Nigeria collected an estimated N7.779 billion in ransom between July 2025 and June 2026, representing about 34 per cent of the N22.856 billion demanded during the period.
The report, citing findings by SBM Intelligence, said the ransom collection rate rose significantly from the 5.35 per cent recorded in the previous reporting cycle.
According to the report, the JAS faction of Boko Haram and affiliated cells accounted for about N7 billion, representing roughly 90 per cent of the total ransom paid. Two major mass abduction incidents were said to have contributed substantially to the figure.
The first involved the abduction of 416 people in Ngoshe, Borno State, in April 2026, for whose release about N5 billion was reportedly paid. The second was the November 2025 abduction of 315 children and staff of St. Mary’s School, Papiri, Niger State, with intelligence sources reportedly putting the ransom at about N2 billion.
The Nation report further stated that unaffiliated kidnappers, including bandit-related groups, accounted for approximately N719.4 million in ransom payments, while ISWAP accounted for about N53 million.
At the state level, Kwara recorded the highest ransom demand at N7.375 billion, followed by Borno State with N5.698 billion. However, Borno recorded the highest actual ransom payment, estimated at N5.05 billion, followed by Niger State with N2 billion.
SBM Intelligence said Borno, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Sokoto states accounted for 95.8 per cent of all ransom reportedly collected during the period, attributing the concentration largely to a handful of major mass-abduction incidents.
