By Gwurld4026 
Nigeria Ransom Payments Exceed N2.23tn in 12 Months: Shocking NBS Report
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that Nigerians paid an estimated ₦2.23 trillion in ransoms to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024.
Key Findings from the NBS Report:
- Crime Incidence: Approximately 51.89 million crime incidents were reported across Nigerian households during the specified period.
- Regional Distribution:
- North-West: Recorded the highest number of incidents with 14.4 million cases.
- North-Central: Reported 8.8 million incidents.
- South-East: Had the lowest with 6.18 million incidents.
- Urban vs. Rural: Rural areas experienced slightly more crime incidents (26.53 million) compared to urban areas (25.36 million).
- Kidnapping and Ransom Payments:
- 65% of households affected by kidnappings paid ransoms.
- The average ransom amount was ₦2,670,693.
- Total estimated ransom payments amounted to ₦2.23 trillion.
- Reporting to Authorities: Only 36.3% of households that experienced home robberies reported the incidents to the police, indicating a significant level of underreporting.
This report underscores the pervasive nature of crime, particularly kidnappings, in Nigeria and highlights the substantial financial burden placed on citizens due to ransom payments.