Nigeria Pays Record $5.5 Billion in Ransom to Terrorists in 12 Months

Northern governors have deployed vigilantes in response to a significant increase in kidnappings, with Nigerians paying N2.23 trillion as ransom over the past year.

The governments of northern Nigeria have deployed vigilantes to combat the rising wave of kidnapping and ransom payments in the region, where households were forced to pay a record-breaking N2.23 trillion as ransom between May 2023 and April 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The staggering figure represents a significant increase in extortionary activities, highlighting the need for increased security measures to protect citizens' lives and property. In response, local authorities have taken proactive steps by mobilizing community vigilantes to enhance surveillance and prevent such incidents. This move is seen as a critical step towards mitigating the scourge of kidnapping and ransom payments in northern Nigeria.