Kidnapping Crisis Intensifies under Tinubu’s Watch: Over 7,500 Abducted from July 2023 to June 2024 (See State by State Breakdown)
Nigeria’s security landscape has deteriorated significantly, with the rise of diverse violent groups exploiting the state’s weakened control. From July 2023 to June 2024 under President Bola Tinubu’s watch, the country witnessed an alarming surge in kidnapping incidents, driven by various actors including Boko Haram, armed gangs, and secessionist groups. Amid these threats, kidnap-for-ransom has emerged as a pervasive issue, affecting nearly every region of Nigeria.
Escalating Kidnapping Statistics
Our research reveals that at least 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 incidents across Nigeria during the review period. Kidnappers demanded approximately ₦11 billion (about $6.87 million) in ransom but received only ₦1.05 billion, indicating a significant drop in the amount collected. This suggests a shift in kidnapping tactics, with perpetrators becoming less specific in their victim targeting.
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Most Affected States
Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina have been particularly hard hit, with Zamfara recording 132 incidents involving 1,639 victims. Kaduna followed with 113 incidents and 1,113 victims, while Katsina reported 119 incidents with 887 victims. These states also have the highest number of civilian casualties. In total, 1,056 people were killed in kidnapping-related incidents, making the phenomenon increasingly lethal. On average, a fatality occurred in nearly every reported kidnapping case.
Breakdown of Incidents by State (July 2023 – June 2024):
- Zamfara: 132 incidents, 1,639 kidnapped
- Katsina: 119 incidents, 887 kidnapped
- Kaduna: 111 incidents, 1,113 kidnapped
- FCT: 70 incidents, 404 kidnapped
- Sokoto: 67 incidents, 487 kidnapped
- Borno: 63 incidents, 720 kidnapped
- Niger: 48 incidents, 689 kidnapped
- Benue: 39 incidents, 186 kidnapped
- Kogi: 38 incidents, 170 kidnapped
- Enugu: 31 incidents, 84 kidnapped
- Taraba: 31 incidents, 167 kidnapped
- Ogun: 30 incidents, 88 kidnapped
- Anambra: 29 incidents, 46 kidnapped
- Rivers: 28 incidents, 66 kidnapped
- Delta: 27 incidents, 48 kidnapped
- Kwara: 27 incidents, 80 kidnapped
- Nasarawa: 24 incidents, 113 kidnapped
- Plateau: 24 incidents, 26 kidnapped
- Bauchi: 22 incidents, 114 kidnapped
- Edo: 22 incidents, 69 kidnapped
- Cross River: 18 incidents, 40 kidnapped
- Imo: 15 incidents, 30 kidnapped
- Ondo: 15 incidents, 67 kidnapped
- Akwa Ibom: 14 incidents, 12 kidnapped
- Adamawa: 13 incidents, 11 kidnapped
- Ebonyi: 10 incidents, 29 kidnapped
- Kebbi: 10 incidents, 26 kidnapped
- Abia: 8 incidents, 40 kidnapped
- Oyo: 8 incidents, 26 kidnapped
- Yobe: 8 incidents, 9 kidnapped
- Lagos: 7 incidents, 11 kidnapped
- Ekiti: 6 incidents, 17 kidnapped
- Osun: 6 incidents, 23 kidnapped
- Kano: 4 incidents, 2 kidnapped
- Bayelsa: 3 incidents, 5 kidnapped
- Jigawa: 2 incidents, 2 kidnapped
- Gombe: 1 incident, 2 kidnapped
Fatalities
The kidnapping crisis has resulted in a substantial loss of life. Civilians accounted for 740 deaths, while 274 kidnappers were killed. Additionally, 42 security agents lost their lives while responding to kidnapping incidents.
The rise in kidnapping incidents underscores a severe security crisis in Nigeria, exacerbated by the activities of armed groups and criminal networks.
Sources: Venous Media Reports, SBM Valenco Tracke,
