No fewer than 7,825 Nigerians were abducted in 1,713 kidnapping incidents between July 2025 and June 2026, while at least 1,142 people were killed during the period, according to a report by SBM Intelligence.

The findings were contained in the organisation’s latest report, The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry, 2026, which examined the scale and financial activities surrounding kidnapping across Nigeria.

According to the report, the number of people abducted increased by 66 per cent compared with the previous reporting period, highlighting the continued expansion of kidnapping and mass abduction across the country.

Despite the rise in victims, the total ransom demanded by kidnappers declined from N48 billion in the previous period to N22.9 billion. However, the amount actually paid increased significantly, rising from N2.56 billion to N7.78 billion.

This means that the proportion of ransom demands that were successfully collected increased from 5.35 per cent to 34 per cent during the period under review.

SBM Intelligence attributed much of the increase in ransom payments to two major mass abductions.

The report said Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a Boko Haram faction, collected about 90 per cent of the total ransom paid during the period from eight incidents.

Two major cases accounted for N7 billion of the N7.78 billion paid.

One involved the abduction of 416 people from Ngoshe in Borno State, for which N5 billion was reportedly paid, while another involved 315 pupils and staff of St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State, where N2 billion was reportedly paid.

The report said the figures demonstrate the growing financial importance of mass abductions to armed groups operating in the country.

The Northwest continued to record the highest level of kidnapping activity, with Zamfara State leading the country with 236 incidents involving 1,921 victims.

The state accounted for almost a quarter of the total number of people abducted during the period.

Overall, the North accounted for 93.7 per cent of kidnapping victims, while the South recorded 6.3 per cent.

Mass abductions remained the dominant pattern, with about four out of every five victims taken in group seizures. Zamfara recorded 92 mass abduction incidents, followed by Sokoto with 76.

The report also raised concerns over the continued targeting of schools. The abduction of pupils and staff in Papiri was cited as an example of how kidnapping can disrupt education and affect the wider economic and social life of communities.

SBM Intelligence further warned that paying ransom does not always guarantee the safe release of victims. At least six people were killed despite ransom reportedly being paid during the period.

The report also noted that kidnappers have increasingly targeted people involved in delivering ransom payments, while some groups have begun demanding items other than cash.

In at least 14 incidents, kidnappers reportedly demanded motorcycles, mobile phones, food and fuel from victims or their families.

The report showed a significant difference between the ransom collection rates of different kidnapping groups.

Bandits and criminal gangs reportedly demanded N13.5 billion but collected only N719 million, representing a collection rate of 5.3 per cent.

JAS, however, demanded N9.2 billion and collected N7 billion, giving the group a collection rate of 76 per cent.

SBM Intelligence said the figures demonstrate that although kidnapping is carried out by various criminal groups, ransom payments during the period were heavily concentrated among insurgent groups such as JAS.

The report warned that the financial proceeds from kidnapping could continue to strengthen criminal and insurgent networks if the government fails to disrupt the economic incentives behind the crime.

The findings come amid wider concerns over missing persons across Nigeria.

The International Committee of the Red Cross recently disclosed that more than 1,500 people are registered as missing in Yobe State, while more than 17,000 missing-person cases are being tracked across Nigeria.

The ICRC said more than half of those registered as missing in Yobe were children when they disappeared.

The organisation said it continues to work with families and authorities to establish the whereabouts of missing persons, reunite families and protect the dignity of those affected by the crisis.

The latest figures are expected to increase pressure on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts against kidnapping.

Beyond rescuing victims, security experts and analysts have increasingly stressed the need to disrupt the financial networks that make kidnapping profitable.

The SBM report suggests that reducing the profitability of kidnapping, improving security around vulnerable communities and addressing the conditions that enable criminal groups to recruit and operate will be critical to reversing the trend.

With thousands of Nigerians abducted and billions of naira paid in ransom within a single year, the report underscores the scale of the security challenge facing the country and the urgent need for a more effective response.