The Social-Economic Impediments to Kidnapping Eradication in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Many families had gone through the trauma of being guests of Kidnappers. Apart from paying hefty ransom, many of the victims did not live to tell their stories. Since 2007, Nigeria has witness increased increasingly spate of kidnapping in the South, particularly South-South and South-East geo-political zones. In spite of the security agencies investment in intelligence gathering to get advance information to nip their activities in the bud and also the formation of the various special Task Force on kidnapping, the business still strives. This paper examined the Social-economic factors hindering the abolition of this illicit business in the southern Nigeria. The sources of data is secondary. It was discovered that the menace has been on the increase due to its lucrative nature of the business people pay ransom to get their relative released, and this encourages the crime to thrive, that unemployment, corruption, poverty, leadership failure and loss of societal value are the major obstacle to its eradication. The following recommendations were made: Any political or public office holder caught conniving with kidnappers should be relieved of their position. There should be effective governance that enhances improved standard of living for the people, by providing employment, and ensuring adequate security of lives and properties.

Key Words: Kidnapping, values. Unemployment, poverty, victims