Nigerians Paid N2.23tn in Ransom as States Ramp Up Security Measures Against Rising Crimes

 The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that Nigerians paid a staggering N2.23 trillion in ransom over a 12-month period, from May 2023 to April 2024, due to kidnapping incidents. This payment reflects the increasing threat posed by criminal activities across the country, with households bearing the financial burden of these crimes.

According to the NBS’s latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey report, approximately 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded in Nigerian households during the period. The survey revealed that the North-West region had the highest crime rates, with 14.4 million cases reported, followed by the North-Central region, which recorded 8.8 million incidents. On the other hand, the South-East region reported the lowest crime rates, with 6.18 million incidents.

Northern States Take Action

The NBS report comes at a time when several northern states are stepping up efforts to combat banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping, with some states turning to vigilante groups and private security personnel to support federal initiatives.

In Kano State, the government has enlisted 2,500 new security personnel to enhance safety. These recruits were trained at the state’s Corporate Security Training Institute in Gabasawa, a key local government area. An anonymous state official confirmed to The PUNCH that this initiative aims to create job opportunities for youth while bolstering the state’s security framework. The personnel will be deployed across ministries, departments, and agencies to strengthen existing security efforts.

“This recruitment is part of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration’s commitment to job creation and enhancing security as outlined in his campaign promises,” the official explained.

State-Level Initiatives Against Insecurity

In Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal introduced the 3,969-member State Community Protection Guards in January to tackle the rising insecurity. During the unveiling of the guards in Gusau, Governor Lawal emphasized that the state had been plagued by banditry that disrupted agriculture and threatened the lives of citizens. He urged rural communities to cooperate with the guards to effectively combat criminal activities.

Similarly, Kogi State has deployed 3,000 personnel in the past year across all 21 Local Government Areas to address issues like banditry and other crimes. Ismail Isah, Special Adviser to Governor Usman Ododo on Media, confirmed that this initiative supplements the efforts of the previous administration's security teams.

Collaboration with Vigilante Groups

Bauchi State has also leveraged the support of lawfully registered vigilante groups in the fight against terrorism and banditry. According to Abdulhamid Bununu, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security, these vigilante groups, working in coordination with the police, have been instrumental in raids on terrorist hideouts, including the Lame Burra forest. These groups play a critical role in tracking and apprehending bandits crossing borders from states like Zamfara.

In Sokoto State, the government has formed the Sokoto Community Guard Corps, which supports local security forces. Colonel Ahmed Usman (retd.), Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto Governor, explained that the corps is essential for gathering intelligence to assist the military in the fight against banditry.

Conclusion

As insecurity continues to rise in various regions of Nigeria, states are increasingly taking matters into their own hands by establishing local security forces, vigilante groups, and community protection initiatives. These efforts are crucial in complementing the federal government’s initiatives to combat the escalating threat of criminal activities, including kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.