Ransom Economy Thrives Amid Northern Nigeria Kidnappings

In Northern Nigeria, kidnapping has transformed into a ransom economy, deeply affecting families who must navigate a complex and desperate negotiation process. Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza, a High Court judge, was abducted on July 26 from his home in Kebbi State, with kidnappers initially demanding N200 million, later reducing it to N50 million after negotiations.

He was released on August 3 after approximately nine days in captivity, with his family reportedly paying N50 million along with soft drinks and biscuits. The police stated they do not support ransom payments.

In another case, Bashar Sani, a senior administrator at the College of Education, Maru, was abducted with his wife and others, with his family paying N20 million, three motorcycles, and N150,000 worth of recharge cards for his release. However, Sani's payment did not guarantee his safety.

Recent research by SBM Intelligence revealed that 7,825 people were abducted across Nigeria from July 2025 to June 2026, with 7,334 victims in the northern regions, and N7.78 billion paid in ransoms during this period.