THE INSECURITY AND THE RISEOF KIDNAPPING IN NIGERIA: CAUSES, EFFECT, AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.

 

Kidnapping has become one of the serious security challenges Nigeria face today,what was once considered a criminal activity has developed into a nationwide crisis affecting individuals,families,societies,businesses and educational institutions.Across different areas of the country.headlines reports indicate that kidnappers are asking for ransom for the release of a victim,creating fear among citizens.The rising number of kidnapping has triggered fears among people for personal safety.

Recent reports indicate that kidnapping remains widespread across many parts of Nigeria,particularly in the North West,North central and some southern state.At of last month(may 15 2026)children including toddlers,young primary school pupils,and also teachers were kidnapped.Other state like Kogi also faced the same incident of student (WAEC Students)being kidnapped security experts and human right organization have shown concern that the problem is becoming more organized and difficult to control.
Poverty and job scarcity is one of the major factors contributing to the rise of kidnapping in Nigeria.Many young youths faced economic hardship due to scarcity of available job and poor housing conditions.Thus,financial hardship pushes some individuals towards illegal acts.Gangs regularly lure unemployed young people into kidnapping schemes by promising them fast money,due to economic hardship which many rural and urban areas have experienced,an environment where criminal activities can succeed have been created.
Another major cause of kidnapping is the presence of armed groups and bandits.In several parts of Northern Nigeria,bandits operate mostly from forest and area where government control is weak.The groups attack villages,schools,and farms,often kidnapping people and demanding ransom payments from their relatives.Abductions of citizens by collecting ransom has become a business over the years,encouraging more individuals to engage in similar activities.According to reporters the financial reward collected by kidnappers as ransom payments have strengthened the criminal more and enable them to expand their operations by acquiring weapons.
We are in a country where government can’t protect lives and properties.Inadequate protection or weak security has also contributed to the rise of kidnapping.Nigeria security forces often struggle with insufficient equipment and poor intelligence gathering.Many rural communities lacks a strong security presence,making them vulnerable to attack.Criminals often exploit this weakness to carry out kidnapping and escape before the notice of the security.Although the government has insert various safety measures,the perseverance of kidnapping state that more effective tactics are needed.
The most unsettling part in the crisis is that schools are being targeted.since the infamous abduction of school girls in past years,schools and universities continue to face ongoing risks of targeted attacks.In the past few years,several students and teachers have been kidnapped from school across different states in Nigeria.The recent signal of school kidnapping in oyo state has made the public feel concern.This kidnapping crisis has further affected students and educational system,leading some students to suspend activities and forcing families to reconsider sending their children to schools.

RECENTLY,A RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL RABE ABUBAKAR DIED IN THE CAPTIVITY OF THE KIDNAPPERS,IF A MAJOR GENERAL CAN BE ABDUCTED BY THOSE BANDIT THEN WE ARE NOBODY TO THEM.

The retired major general was abducted alongside with his wife in kaduna state,he died in bandit captivity,According to the state Government he died from the complications of diabetes and hypertension while in captivity where he was unable to receive adequate medical care.Before his death he pleaded with the government to reach out to his abductors but unfortunately he is dead and his wife still remains in bandits captivity.This act portrayed by the bandits shows they have no mercy for anybody,this simply implies that if they can abduct a retire major general then in theirs eyes poor,middle class,and people not in any position in the country are nothing to them.
Concerning the kidnapping the president said to bandit,kidnappers and sponsors of terror should surrender or face the full force of the Nigeria state, He said the windows of surrender will not be open forever ,no mercy will be shown to those who trade in blood of Nigeria,we must stand united and assure that the enemy of our nation shall soon be history,All this were said by the president.But yet no actions had been taken.Research indicates that the president -Bola Tinibu has ordered the nation’s security and intelligence agencies to deploy all available resources to rescue abducted pupils and teachers across attacked state.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO HELP REDUCE THE RISE OF KIDNAPPING IN NIGERIA.

The president should strengthen the security agencies by providing more equipment and giving them better training and funding the police also with other security agencies so they will be able to overcome this bandits.
The president should also implement stricter laws that will lead to the persecution of kidnappers and the law breakers should face appropriate judgement.
The government should create more job opportunities most especially for the youths to help reduce crime eg stealing,kidnapping,robbery etc.
In summary,Government should be able to do justice to his people and make sure the criminals are punished because communities,societies etc will remain at risk as those criminals are not caught and punished and ignoring the cause of this crimes (such as poverty)is another way of putting the lives of citizens at risk.

Written by:

OWIN JANE OGHENERUKEVWE

(Department of English and Literary Studies, Delta State University, Abraka)