The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that 614,937 Nigerians were killed, and 2,235,954 others were kidnapped nationwide between May 2023 and April 2024. The findings were revealed in the Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024.
The report indicated that N2.2 trillion was paid as ransom during the period, averaging N2.7 million per incident. Of the kidnappings, 82.1% of victims were released, while 12.8% were killed. The North West recorded the highest cases of kidnapping at 1.4 million, alongside the highest murder incidents.
Motor vehicle theft totalled 1.5 million, with the North West leading at 603,756 cases. Households spent an average of N80,878 on security measures, with urban areas spending more than rural ones.
The survey also revealed that Nigerians felt most unsafe at ATM points (31.7%), in public transport (29.1%), and in religious places (7%).
