A chilling report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a devastating toll of violence in Nigeria.
Between May 2023 and April 2024, an estimated 614,937 Nigerians were killed, and over 2.2 million were kidnapped.
The ‘Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024’ paints a grim picture of insecurity across the nation. Kidnappings alone resulted in an estimated N2.2 trillion in ransom payments, averaging N2.7 million per incident.
Rural areas bore the brunt of the violence, with a higher murder rate of 335,827 incidents compared to 279,110 in urban areas.
The North West zone recorded the highest number of murders (206,030) and kidnappings (1,420,307). While high-profile abductions garnered media attention, experts suggest that impoverished rural communities suffered disproportionately.
The report also highlighted that 82.1% of kidnap victims were released, while 12.8% were killed, and 3.3% remained captive.
This data underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and targeted interventions to address the root causes of violence in Nigeria.
Grim Toll: Over 614,000 Lives Lost to Violence in Nigeria in One Year
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