Kidnapping and economic security among the Ijaw people in Bayelsa State.

Abstract

This study investigated kidnapping and economic security among the Ijaw people in Bayelsa State. Kidnapping and economic security were measured on a deconstructed three-component indices. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design strategy, and a mixed method approach. Using a multistage sampling procedure, 122 respondents were randomly selected from three local government
areas chosen for the study and descriptive and inferential techniques were used to analyze the data and evaluate the relationship between kidnapping and economic security. The QLT-DOT theoretical framework informed the study, which found that kidnapping has a negative effect on economic security. Furthermore, although kidnapping was a well-known crime with punitive sanctions, the very
high incidence stemmed from lack of deterrence: poor policing, multi-faceted inadequacy of antikidnap agencies and corruption/complicity among their officials. The study recommended an overhaul of government policies and strategies towards staff reorientation, optimization of existing digital public infrastructure, particularly the use of the digital identification eco-system and
government should embark on massive digital technology deployment in the anti-kidnap agencies.