By Milcah Tanimu
In a tragic incident in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, Abuja, a resident was killed by bandits during a late-night attack on Thursday. The assailants, who struck under the cover of darkness, also abducted the man’s wife and children, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
The attack is part of a troubling trend of increasing insecurity in Nigeria, with kidnapping for ransom becoming alarmingly frequent. A police source confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, though further details are still emerging.
This attack highlights the broader issue of escalating kidnappings across the country. A recent report by SBM Intelligence, titled “Grim Reaping,” revealed that Nigerians paid over ₦1 billion in ransom between July 2023 and June 2024. Despite kidnappers’ demands totaling ₦11 billion, only a fraction was paid, with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reporting the highest ransom demands, followed by Lagos and Kaduna states.
The rise in kidnapping for ransom reflects ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria, with kidnappers increasingly targeting a wider range of victims and adjusting demands based on what families can afford.
