Alarming Rise in Ransom Payments
Nigerians paid ₦2.23 trillion in ransoms to kidnappers from May 2023 to April 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed. This alarming trend exposes Nigeria’s growing insecurity and questions the effectiveness of substantial government security spending.
Regional Disparities in Crime
According to the NBS’s Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded nationwide within the same period. The North-West emerged as the most crime-affected region, with 14.4 million incidents, followed by the North-Central with 8.8 million. The South-East reported the least crime, recording 6.18 million cases. Rural households bore the brunt, reporting 26.53 million incidents compared to 25.36 million in urban areas.
Kidnapping as a Major Threat
Kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s most severe security challenges, with 4.14 million households affected by home robberies linked to kidnappers. The survey showed that 65% of victims paid ransoms to secure the release of loved ones, with the average payment amounting to ₦2.67 million. This underscores the heavy financial burden faced by families and the inability of security agencies to curb the menace effectively.
Security Budget and Performance Gap
The Nigerian government allocated ₦3.85 trillion to the security and defense sector for the 2024 fiscal year, representing 13.38% of the national budget. These funds were earmarked for military operations, police reforms, and intelligence infrastructure. However, the data suggest a disconnect between financial investments and actual outcomes, as insecurity continues to thrive unabated.
Low Confidence in Law Enforcement
The NBS report highlighted a significant lack of public trust in law enforcement. Only 36.3% of households affected by home robberies reported the incidents to the police. Similarly, victims of kidnapping and sexual offenses were reluctant to involve authorities, citing inefficiency and lack of meaningful results as primary reasons. In rural areas, local vigilante groups were deemed more reliable than formal security forces.
Urgent Call for Accountability
Nigerians paid ₦2.23 trillion in ransoms to kidnappers from May 2023 to April 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed. This alarming trend exposes Nigeria’s growing insecurity and questions the effectiveness of substantial government security spending.
The alarming surge in kidnappings and ₦2.23 trillion ransom payments emphasizes the immediate need for accountability in managing Nigeria’s security funds. Experts urge transparency in resource allocation, improved police efficiency, and community-led initiatives to strengthen safety and restore public confidence.
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