Between May 2023 and April 2024, a staggering 614,937 Nigerians were killed and 2.2 million others were kidnapped across the country, according to a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The findings were published in the Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024, which was based on surveys conducted during this period.
The report highlights the widespread nature of the crime, noting that a total of N2.2 trillion was paid as ransom for those kidnapped, with an average ransom of N2.7 million per incident.
The majority of murders occurred in rural areas, with 335,827 deaths reported, while urban areas recorded 279,110 killings.
In terms of geographic distribution, the North West had the highest number of murder cases (206,030), followed by the North East (188,992), while the South West had the lowest with 15,693 deaths.
Seven out of ten households nationwide reported murders to the police, with many cases involving unknown perpetrators or family members.
Regarding kidnappings, 1.67 million victims were abducted in rural areas, while 567,850 were kidnapped from urban regions.
The North West also recorded the highest number of abductions, with 1.42 million cases, followed by the North Central (317,837) and South East (110,432).
The report also revealed that 82.1% of kidnapped individuals were released, while 12.8% were killed, and 3.3% remain in captivity.
The amount paid for ransoms was highest in the North West (N1.2 trillion), with the South East reporting the least (N85.4 billion). The report noted that urban households paid an average of N3.7 million for ransoms, while rural households paid N2.3 million.
Additionally, 91% of kidnappings were financially motivated, while a small percentage were linked to political, criminal, or personal disputes.
The report also highlighted 1.6 million motor vehicle thefts during the survey period, with the North West leading in car thefts (603,756) and the South West recording the least (140,144).
In terms of security spending, Nigerians spent an average of N80,878 on security measures over the last year, with the South East reporting the highest security expenditure (N135,398).
Insecurity in the country is affecting public spaces, with ATM points (31.7%) and public transport (29.1%) being the places where Nigerians feel most unsafe.
The report also revealed that many Nigerians have started paying for their own security due to the rising threat of crime.
Security experts, like Abdullahi Garba, emphasized the need for the government to address socio-economic disparities, which fuel criminal activities.
He suggested that the government needs to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor to reduce the number of youths involved in crime.
