Kidnapping ransoms become a lucrative business in Nigeria, new report shows
A new report details the scale of money collected through ransom payments in Nigeria, highlighting how abductions have turned into a profitable enterprise. A Lagos-based analyst involved in the report discussed its findings on French broadcaster France 24.
Kidnapping for ransom has grown into a widespread and profitable illegal activity in Nigeria, according to a new report that compiles figures on the money generated through such abductions. The report lays out data illustrating the scale of profits kidnappers are able to collect, underscoring how significant a revenue stream the practice has become in the country.
On France 24's programme "Eye on Africa", hosted by journalist Laurent Berstecher, a Lagos-based analyst involved in compiling the report was interviewed about its findings. The discussion focused on how kidnapping has evolved into a systematic source of income for criminal groups operating in Nigeria.
Other African developments
The same broadcast also covered political developments in Tanzania, where the ruling party expelled the country's vice-president shortly after he had announced plans to step down from his post the following week.
In Senegal, meanwhile, the programme reported on a promising development in healthcare: the country has begun producing the first African-manufactured generic drug for treating sickle cell disease. The development is raising hopes for improved access to treatment and reduced dependence on costly imported medicines in the region.
Overall, the programme covered several stories from across the continent, but the main focus was on the scale of Nigeria's kidnapping-for-ransom business as revealed by the new report.
