Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion to k+dnappers in 12 months – NBS report

The latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed alarming figures on the state of crime in Nigeria.

According to the survey, Nigerians paid a total of N2.23 trillion in ransom over the 12-month period from May 2023 to April 2024.

This amount was paid by households affected by k+dnapping, emphasizing the escalating th+at posed by criminals across the country.

The CESPS provides a detailed account of the crime situation in Nigeria, noting a total of 51.89 million crime incidences experienced by households during the period under review.

The North-West region recorded the highest number of crimes, with over 14.4 million incidents, followed by the North-Central region at 8.8 million. In contrast, the South-East recorded the fewest incidences, with 6.18 million cases.

The survey highlights that rural areas were more affected by crime than urban areas, with rural households experiencing a total of 26.53 million crime incidents, compared to 25.36 million in urban settings.

A major finding of the CESPS was the alarming number of k+dnapping incidents. According to the report, approximately 4.14 million households in Nigeria fell victim to home r@bbery.

Also, a significant 65% of households affected by k+dnapping were forced to pay a ransom to secure the release of their loved ones. The average ransom paid was N2.67 million, contributing to the total sum of N2.23 trillion spent by Nigerians on k+dnappers’ demands during the 12-month period.

The survey also found that only 36.3% of those affected by home robbery reported the incident to the police, while the reporting rate for ki+dnappings was similarly low.

The reasons for not reporting crimes include a lack of confidence in law enforcement agencies and the belief that police intervention would not result in meaningful action.