A report by SBM Intelligence has revealed that no fewer than 257 people were kidnapped across Nigeria’s Southeast region between July 2024 and June 2025, underscoring the rising insecurity challenges in the zone.
The report, entitled “Locust Business, The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry: A 2025 Update”, shows that the Southeast accounted for 5.6 per cent of the 4,722 abductions documented nationwide within the period under review.
According to SBM’s findings, Enugu State recorded the highest number of abductions in the region, with 123 victims, while Anambra followed with 63 cases. Imo State documented 42 cases, Abia 27, and Ebonyi, just two.
The report also highlighted the financial dimension of the crisis, noting that kidnappers in the Southeast demanded a total of N1.005 billion in ransom.
However, only N157.55 million — representing 6.1% of the N2.56 billion collected nationwide, was eventually paid to secure the release of victims in the region.
SBM Intelligence warned that the kidnap-for-ransom industry has become one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in Nigeria, with devastating social and economic implications.
The organisation said its latest update shows that insecurity continues to spread across both urban and rural communities, threatening lives, livelihoods, and investor confidence.
