CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND CONTROL OF KIDNAPPING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Kidnapping is one of the oldest crimes in human history. It is a violent crime. It was one of the ways used in the past to get slaves during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade era. The most common form of kidnapping is the economic/ransom kidnapping. Payment of ransom is not often an easy thing to do. Some people were forced to sell their valuable possessions to raise money for the negotiated ransom. This often leaves the victims and their relations terribly traumatized. There were instances when the kidnapped persons were killed even when they have paid the agreed ransom. Nobody is safe any longer in any part of the country. Kidnapping can take place at any time. The inability of the security agencies to stop the crime in most cases is another source of concern. This paper therefore examined the causes, consequences and control of kidnapping in Nigeria. The paper adopted the frustration-aggression hypothesis and the strain theory as its theoretical thrust. It was shown in the paper that unemployment has a major factors influence on kidnapping in Nigeria. It was also shown that corruption and weak institutional frameworks were among the factors influencing kidnapping in Nigeria. The paper recommended among others the need for attitudinal change. The society should place less emphasis on making money through illegitimate means. This could be achieved by questioning people’s sources of wealth by all and sundry starting from ones family. The paper further advocated for strengthening of the institutions responsible for controlling crimes in the country. This will ultimately improve efficiency in service delivery.