Kidnapping in Nigeria has become a thriving, well-oiled criminal enterprise, one that outpaces the government’s capacity, and perhaps its willingness, to address it. As an observer deeply invested in Nigeria’s development, it is alarming and disheartening to see how this crisis reflects a broader failure of governance, misplaced priorities, and entrenched corruption.
In the past 12 months alone, Nigerians paid ₦2.23 trillion in ransom to kidnappers, according to the latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This staggering amount surpasses the ₦1.647 trillion budgeted for the defense sector in 2024, which includes funding for the army, navy, air force, and other defense-related institutions. How did we get here, and why is this allowed to persist?
From my perspective, the root cause lies in a deliberate and cynical manipulation of insecurity as a tool for personal enrichment by those in power. The late General Sani Abacha once said, “Any security crisis that persists is likely sponsored by the government.” This statement rings truer than ever today. Insecurity has become a cash cow for corrupt officials, both at the federal and state levels, where inflated security budgets are funneled into opaque accounts with little accountability.
Ransom Payments Outpace State Budgets
To put the ₦2.23 trillion ransom figure into perspective, it is larger than the combined 2024 budgets of five states, Ekiti, Gombe, Yobe, Kogi, and Ondo, which total ₦1.69 trillion. It also represents 8.2% of Nigeria’s total federal budget of ₦28.8 trillion for 2024. This is not just a number; it is a glaring indictment of a government that has failed to protect its citizens from predators and bandits.
According to the NBS report, 65% of households affected by kidnappings paid ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones. On average, each household paid ₦2.67 million. These figures reflect not just the economic burden on families but also the normalization of a crime that thrives on the government’s abdication of its primary duty, to protect lives and property.
The Shadow Economy of Crime
The ripple effects of this crisis on the Nigerian economy are profound. Ransom payments fuel a shadow economy where billions circulate outside the formal financial system. Criminals do not pay taxes or contribute to national development, yet they accumulate wealth and resources to sustain and expand their operations. This vicious cycle of crime feeds itself, as more youths, seeing the “success” of kidnappers, are drawn into the trade.
Beyond this, ransom proceeds are used to purchase more sophisticated weapons, escalating insecurity and making it even harder for law enforcement to keep up. Weak enforcement of financial regulations further compounds the problem. Nigeria’s cashless policy, which could potentially help trace ransom payments, remains poorly implemented. Loopholes in banking and fintech platforms, where identity verification is lax, make it easy for criminals to launder money and evade detection.
The Cost of Government Failure
The government’s lack of accountability in addressing the kidnapping crisis is perhaps the most damning aspect of this issue. Despite allocating ₦3.85 trillion to security and defense in 2024, including ₦970 billion for the police and ₦471.625 billion for the Ministry of Interior, the results on the ground are abysmal. Citizens remain at the mercy of criminals, and insecurity continues to thrive unchecked.
This is not a matter of resources; it is a matter of priorities. The Nigerian government has the capacity to address this crisis but chooses not to. Why? Because insecurity benefits a select few who profit from inflated budgets, misappropriated funds, and the chaos that keeps ordinary Nigerians focused on survival rather than demanding accountability.
A Way Forward: Prioritizing Governance and Security
To break this cycle, Nigeria needs a radical shift in governance and public policy. First, the government must prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens over personal or political gain. This requires transparency in how security budgets are spent and accountability for officials who fail to deliver results.
Second, financial regulations must be enforced rigorously. A fully implemented cashless policy, combined with strict Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols in the banking and fintech sectors, can help trace ransom payments and disrupt the financial networks that sustain kidnapping operations.
Third, addressing the root causes of crime, poverty, unemployment, and inequality, requires significant investment in education, healthcare, and job creation. These sectors have been underfunded for years, creating the conditions for insecurity to thrive. A government that truly cares about its people must redirect resources from self-serving projects to initiatives that uplift the majority of Nigerians.
A Personal Reflection
As someone who has observed Nigeria’s trajectory for decades, this crisis is a painful reminder of how far we have fallen. The normalization of kidnapping as a “business” underscores a societal breakdown that cannot be ignored. We must hold our leaders accountable for their failures and demand a government that puts the people first.
If we continue on this path, where criminals thrive while ordinary Nigerians suffer, the very fabric of our nation will continue to unravel. It is time for a collective awakening, a demand for justice, accountability, and the prioritization of human dignity over greed and corruption.
Hon. Duruebube Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
Leave a comment