SBM Intelligence reveals a new analysis, showing that Governments in Nigeria have paid nearly N8 billion in ransom linked to school abductions between 2014 and 2025, reinforcing a cycle that continues to make schools attractive targets for armed groups.
The analysis, entitled “Monkey Business: Timeline of Nigeria’s Government Funding of School Abductions (2014–2025)”, tracks publicly reported ransom payments made by federal and state authorities following major school kidnapping incidents across the country.
The timeline shows how ransom payments have gradually become embedded in the response to mass abductions, even though Nigerian law formally prohibits negotiating with kidnappers.
The timeline begins with the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, after which the federal government reportedly paid N5 billion as part of negotiations.
In 2018, another set of 276 school girls were kidnapped in Yobe, and an undisclosed ransom was paid.
In 2020, 275 school girls were kidnapped in Katsina State and the Government paid N30 million, while in 2021, in Niger State 200 girls were abducted and the government paid N50 million, the same year in Niger State another 42 girls were abducted and a ransom of N15 million was paid.
In Kaduna State 39 school girls were kidnapped in 2021, and the sum of N32 million was paid, and in Zamfara in the same year 279 were kidnapped and N60 million paid.
In 2024, Kaduna State witnessed another school children abduction with 287 kidnapped and a ransom of N1 billion paid and in 2025, 327 school children were abducted in Niger State and the government paid N2 billion.
SB Morgen Intelligence report shows that more than N8 billion has been expended through ransom payments, security operations, negotiations, and emergency responses following a wave of mass school kidnappings that has shaken communities and disrupted education nationwide.
In Febrauary 2026, an AFP investigation report alleged that the Nigerian Government paid a huge ransom estimated at N2 billion or up to $7 million, to secure the release of 230 pupils abducted from St, Mary Catholic School in November 2025.
Intelligence sources told AFP the money was flown by helicopter to Boko Haram commander, Ali Ngulde in Gwoza, with two militant commanders freed as part of the deal.
The Government has strongly denied the claims. However, there is a history, since 2014, Nigerian governments have paid nearly N6 billion ($4.4million) in confirmed ransom payments to armed groups for kidnapped school children.
Federal and State Authorities both participated, despite laws prohibiting such payments. Each ransom funds the next abduction, turning education into a target and ensuring the cycle of violence continues.
Ike Chilaka-Osuagwu, an Educationist, described the scenario as worrisome, and a point to the fact that the government lacks the political will to curb banditry and kidnapping, especially against school children in the country.
Besides, he emphasised that as far as the Government continues to divert resources to pay ransom, economic development will continue to elude the country.
“The Government lacks the political will to end this nonsense. It will continue to affect productivity, and encourage diversion of funds and energy required to improve the economy,” he said.
Abductions are a long-standing pattern in Nigeria. Between July 2023 and June 2024 alone, SBM Intelligence, an Africa-centric security analysis and strategic consulting firm, found that at least 7,568 people were kidnapped in 1,130 cases across the country.
During this period, the kidnappers demanded approximately N11 billion (about $7.5 million) as ransom, and received N1 billion (about $0.65 million).
This is despite the fact that the Nigerian Senate outlawed ransom payments to kidnappers in 2022 and made abduction punishable by death.
According to the report, all these payments illustrate how kidnapping for ransom has evolved into a structured criminal economy targeting schools in the country.
By Charles Ogwo, Business Day
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