Nigerians paid a staggering N2.2 trillion in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figure underscores the growing impact of insecurity across the country.
The data, published in NBS’s Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, revealed that this amount was paid by households affected by kidnapping incidents during the reference period. The report also highlighted that approximately 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded nationwide, further illustrating the pervasive threat posed by criminal activities.
Regionally, the North-West reported the highest number of crime incidents, with 14.4 million cases, followed by the North-Central with 8.8 million cases. The South-East recorded the lowest crime rate, with 6.18 million incidents.
The survey also noted that rural households were disproportionately affected, recording 26.53 million crime incidents, compared to 25.36 million in urban areas.
Kidnapping emerged as a particularly severe issue, with 4.14 million households experiencing home robberies. On average, victims paid N2,670,693 in ransom, contributing to the estimated total of over N2.2 trillion paid within the one-year period.
These findings reflect the continued rise in insecurity across Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective measures to combat crime and protect citizens.
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