Insecurity: South East Tops Ransom Payments in Nigeria as Anambra Emerges Hardest Hit – Report

The South East of Nigeria is facing a serious crisis, with kidnappings and ransom payments becoming a painful reality for many families. The region now accounts for 40% of all ransom payments made across the country, according to a report by SMB Morgen, a security research firm.

Violence in the South East has been fueled by separatist groups enforcing sit-at-home orders and attacking communities. These groups have caused chaos, challenging the government and threatening the safety of everyday people. On November 18, 2024, gunmen attacked the Abatete and Ukpo communities in Anambra State, killing three vigilantes and a civilian. Earlier in the year, an attack in Aba, Abia State, left 11 people dead, including five soldiers and six civilians. The Army blamed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the violence.

In response to these groups, security forces have carried out operations in the region. Unfortunately, some civilians, especially young people, have been caught in the crossfire, facing harassment and even violence during these crackdowns.

The financial and emotional burden on families has been enormous. Between July 2023 and June 2024, families in the South East paid N419.2 million in ransom to kidnappers. Anambra State was hit the hardest, with families paying N350.2 million, which is 88% of the total amount demanded by kidnappers in the state. Imo State paid N39 million, Abia State N25 million, while Enugu and Ebonyi States recorded smaller amounts of N4 million and N1 million, respectively.

Despite the South East’s shocking figures, a national comparison shows that other regions are also struggling. The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that people in the South East paid a total of N85.4 billion in ransom in one year. However, this amount was still far less than the N1.2 trillion paid in the North West, which faces an even worse kidnapping crisis.

The rise in kidnappings and ransom payments in the South East shows just how unsafe many communities have become. Families are not just losing money—they are losing loved ones and their peace of mind.