The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that Nigerians paid a total of N2.23 trillion as ransom to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024.

According to the NBS’s latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey released on Tuesday, 65 percent of households affected by kidnapping paid ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.

The report revealed that the average ransom paid was N2,670,693, amounting to an estimated total of N2.23 trillion during the period under review.

Kidnapping incidents were estimated at 2,235,954 nationwide, with rural areas (1,668,104) recording significantly more cases than urban areas (567,850).

“Further analysis by zones showed that the North-West recorded the highest number of cases with 1,420,307, followed by the North-Central with 317,837, while the South-East had the least incidents at 110,432,” the report stated.