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 inthe past to get slaves during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade era. The most common form of kidnapping isthe economic/ransom kidnapping. Payment of ransom is not often an easy thing to do. Some people wereforced to sell their valuable possessions to raise money for the negotiated ransom. This often leaves thevictims and their relations terribly traumatized. There were instances when the kidnapped persons werekilled 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 casesis another source of concern. This paper therefore examined the causes, consequences and control ofkidnapping in Nigeria. The paper adopted the frustration-aggression hypothesis and the strain theory as itstheoretical thrust. It was shown in the paper that unemployment has a major factors influence on kidnappingin Nigeria. It was also shown that corruption and weak institutional frameworks were among the factorsinfluencing 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 achievedby questioning people’s sources of wealth by all and sundry starting from ones family. The paper furtheradvocated for strengthening of the institutions responsible for controlling crimes in the country. This willultimately improve efficiency in service delivery.