The United Nations (UN) has expressed concern over the continued abduction of civilians by armed groups in Nigeria, describing the situation as unacceptable amid rising insecurity across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, condemned the persistent attacks, particularly those targeting students and young people.
“We are very much concerned at the fact that so many other students, young people, young men, young women, continue to be detained by armed groups,” Dujarric said. “And obviously, we’re continuing to see violence.”
His comments followed a series of high-profile abductions in recent months. In November, armed men abducted at least 25 students and killed a teacher during an attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. This was followed by the abduction of more than 300 schoolchildren and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State. Students of Government Secondary School in Kebbi were later released after spending about a week in captivity.
Meanwhile, a new report by SBM Intelligence has revealed that Nigeria’s kidnap-for-ransom crisis generated at least N2.57 billion for criminal groups between July 2024 and June 2025.
The report, titled The Year Ahead at an Inflexion Point, analysed key economic and political developments shaping Africa in 2025. It found that kidnappers in Nigeria demanded an estimated N48 billion in ransom during the 12-month period but received only a fraction of that amount.
According to the report, abductions have evolved into a structured, profit-driven industry, fuelled by worsening insecurity nationwide. SBM Intelligence recorded at least 4,722 abductions across 997 incidents during the period under review, with no fewer than 762 people killed.
While ransom demands surged sharply in naira terms, the report noted that the actual value realised by kidnappers in dollar terms remained relatively modest due to currency depreciation.
It added that the N2.57 billion paid in ransom is equivalent to about $1.66 million, only slightly higher than the estimated $1.13 million realised from N653.7 million collected in 2022.
