Kidnapping has evolved into a major security and economic challenge in Nigeria, with criminal gangs increasingly adopting the mass-abduction and ransom tactics pioneered by Boko Haram. The 2014 abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok became a defining moment, demonstrating how kidnapping could generate enormous attention and pressure authorities. More than a decade later, the tactic has spread beyond the northeast, with criminal groups and copycats operating across other parts of the country. Insecurity has become especially significant given Nigeria’s looming presidential election, as well as public anger over the rising cost of living. Ahead of the election, President Bola Tinubu’s administration faces pressure to demonstrate that its security policies can protect citizens. Beyond electoral consequences, persistent violence could also discourage investment and weaken the economic benefits of government reforms.