Experts Analyze Rise of Ransom Business in Nigeria

Experts shed light on the flourishing ransom business in Nigeria, attributing its growth to poverty and low human capital development, especially in the northern region. A recent report by SBM Intelligence revealed that kidnappers demanded a total of N48 billion in ransom from July 2024 to June 2025.

The Executive Director of the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Umar Yakubu, emphasized the need for government intervention to track ransom payments and combat this criminal activity effectively.