Why NBS figures on ransom payments, others are ‘practically impossible’ – Think thank

PeacePro Questions NBS Report, Calls for Investigation

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

A think thank, The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), has queried assertions in a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigerians pay a total of N2.23 trillion in ransom payments to kidnappers within a single year.

The group also faulted the claim that Nigeria experienced 51.89 million crimes and 615,000 deaths within a single year.

The think-tank in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, described the figures as “practically impossible.”

According to PeacePro, the figures in the NBS report fail to align with credible data sources such as police records, health data, and security reports.

It therefore called on the NBS to clarify its methodology and data sources.

The organisation identified key abnormalities in the NBS report to include the claim that Nigerians pay N2.23 Trillion to kidnappers in one year.

While faulting the claim, PeacePro noted that “This would mean over N6.1 billion was paid daily for 365 consecutive days. Given Nigeria’s cash flow limitations and the covert nature of ransom payments, such figures lack credibility without verifiable data from security agencies or financial systems.”

Also, the organisation queried claim in the NBS report that 51.89 million crimes were reported in a single year. “This figure represents almost one-fourth of Nigeria’s population and would require every police station, of which there are fewer than 6,000 nationwide, to process an average of 142,000 crime reports daily,” PeacePro said of why the claim by NBS is hard to believe.

It also noted that police records, the primary source of crime statistics, do not reflect such high numbers.

On the claims that 615,000 deaths were reported in a year due to crime-related activities, PeacePro said this would amount to 1,680 deaths per day.

“The organisation said this figure inconsistent with mortality data from health institutions and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO),” the organisation said.

3The think tank suggested that if the figures were derived from surveys or third-party sources, the NBS must disclose its methodology to regain public trust. The release of such questionable data, without proper validation, undermines public trust in national statistics and has the potential to create unnecessary panic,” the statement read.

PeacePro therefore recommended that the NBS should further clarified the report and also provide a detailed explanation of how the figures were obtained, including their data sources and methodology.

The group also said if errors are found, the bureau should retract the report and issue a public apology.

The group also called for an independent review of the report by statisticians, security experts, and other stakeholders is necessary to verify its claims.

Also, PeacePro urged the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria Data Systems by building NBS’s capacity to collaborate effectively with agencies like the police and health institutions for reliable data collection.

“PeacePro reiterated that accurate, credible data is critical for Nigeria’s development and urged all stakeholders to prioritize transparency and accountability. While the NBS plays a vital role in shaping national policy, reports like these must be thoroughly validated to prevent misinformation and maintain public trust,” PeacePro concluded.