- UN warns abductions in Nigeria are becoming a thriving criminal business
- Kidnappers collected ₦2.57bn in ransom between July 2024 and June 2025
- At least 4,722 people abducted, 762 killed within one year
- Armed groups increasingly target students and schools
The United Nations (UN) has condemned the growing wave of civilian abductions across Nigeria, warning that armed groups are turning kidnapping into an organised business.
Speaking through the spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, the global body described the continued detention of civilians, including students and young people as unacceptable.
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“We are very much concerned that so many students, young people, young men and women continue to be held by armed groups. The violence we are seeing is deeply troubling,” Dujarric said.
Recent attacks highlight the scale of the crisis. In November, gunmen stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting at least 25 students and killing a teacher. Days later, more than 300 pupils and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic schools in Niger State.
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Although some victims were later released, a new report by SBM Intelligence shows that ransom payments continue to fuel the violence.
According to the report, titled The Year Ahead at an Inflexion Point, kidnappers demanded about ₦48 billion between July 2024 and June 2025 but eventually received ₦2.57 billion.
During the same period, at least 4,722 abductions were recorded across 997 incidents, with no fewer than 762 deaths linked to the attacks.
SBM Intelligence noted that while ransom demands have risen sharply in naira value, the actual earnings remain lower in dollar terms due to Nigeria’s weakening currency.
