Abstract

This study x-rays the menace of kidnapping in Nigeria. It is evident that Nigeria is presently plagued   with different insecurities including kidnapping. This study argues that kidnapping is as a result of   weakness of the state to provide socio-economic structure that would guarantee survival of the   citizens. Given this, the people take to kidnapping to sustain themselves against ravaging poverty,   inequality and neglect. This is not to deny the ideological, revengeful, business and political   dimensions of the crime. The study is qualitative, primarily relying on secondary sources of data such   as books, articles, reports from local and international prints. Based on the explication of state   fragility theory deployed in the paper, the paper recommends that government adopt dual, mixed   approach that would entail both soft (carrot) and hard (stick) approach. Soft approach would entail   providing the perpetrators with soft capital and training needed to be self-sufficient. The hard   approach would connote military attack on the perpetrators even as the apprehended unrepentant   kidnappers and their sponsors should be prosecuted to serve as deterrence to others. This would   help restore lost trust and set the country on the path of genuine reconciliation needed for   meaningful development.

Keywords

abduction, kidnapping, Nigeria, ransom, strategy, security, state fragility, insecurity

Citation (APA Format)

Ebonine, V. C. (2022). Kidnapping business in Nigeria: How should government respond? International Journal of Politics, Law, and Management, 1(2).