SBM Intelligence's report, 'Economics of Nigeria's Kidnap Industry 2026', reveals that 7,825 people were abducted and at least 1,142 killed in 1,411 kidnapping incidents between July 2025 and June 2026. This represents a sharp increase in scale and lethality compared to the previous cycle, which saw 4,722 abductions and 762 deaths. The report also notes that ransom payments more than tripled despite a decline in total demands, with kidnappers receiving N7.779 billion. The gap between demands and payments is partly attributed to negotiations between kidnappers and victims' families.
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