{
  "id": 3718598,
  "title": "Over 1,100 killed, N7.8bn paid in ransoms as Nigerian kidnappings surge 66% – Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/over-1-100-killed-n7-8bn-paid-in-ransoms-as-nigerian-kidnappings-3718598",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T10:54:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/over-1100-killed-n7-8bn-paid-in-ransoms-as-nigerian-kidnappings-surge-66-report/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over 1,100 people were killed and N7.8 billion in ransom was paid as kidnapping incidents surged by 66% in Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, according to a report by SBM Intelligence. The country recorded 7,825 abductions with 895 civilians killed across all incidents. The Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, a faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group, collected 90% of the ransom from just eight incidents. Two major incidents accounted for the entire ransom bill: N5 billion paid for 416 captives abducted from Ngoshe in Borno State and N2 billion for 315 pupils and staff taken from St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State. The Northwest region recorded the highest number of incidents, victims, and deaths, with Zamfara accounting for nearly a quarter of the national total. The report recommended disrupting the financial flows that support insurgency and addressing the economic desperation that supplies its foot soldiers to overcome the national menace.",
  "summary": "A new report reveals Nigerian kidnappings surged 66% in one year, with 1,142 killed and N7.8 billion paid in ransoms. Learn more about the crisis. Read More: https://punchng.com/over-1100-killed-n7-8bn-paid-in-ransoms-as-nigerian-kidnappings-surge-66-report/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Over 1,100 killed, N7.8bn paid in ransoms as Nigerian kidnappings surge 66% – Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/over-1-100-killed-n7-8bn-paid-in-ransoms-as-nigerian-kidnappings",
        "published": "2026-08-27T10:46:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}