The Bane of kidnapping in Nigeria: Charting the way Forward
By Stephen Isayinka (MICMC, AUSIP)
Kidnappings of various types of people have become increasingly prevalent in Nigeria. As a result, a disease that was previously foreign to the population is now widespread. Kidnapping for ransom is now seen as a legitimate business venture by many ruthless criminals. Because of this, it’s been difficult for businesses to enter the Nigerian market. Today’s society’s ills have reached terrifying proportions, allowing for the full expression of productivity in the form of armed robbery, murder, assassination, and, more recently, kidnapping.
It is noteworthy to observe that the already oppressive nature of doing business in Nigeria has been further exacerbated by the kidnappings, making the country an unattractive and discouraging destination for investment. Over the past decade, this trend has become widespread in the Niger Delta’s oilrich regions, primarily affecting foreigners and Nigerians working in the industry. Even in far northern Nigeria, in Kano and Kaduna, it has spread throughout the entire country. The regions of South-East and SouthSouth Nigeria have earned a reputation as kidnappers’ havens across the country.
Compared to other types of organized crime, kidnapping appears to be the most terrifying. Researchers have found that when a group of criminals kidnaps someone, they take them to a remote area, tie them up, and then use their cell phones to call whoever they want and demand a ransom. Despite being tasked with keeping the public safe, police forces are often illequipped to do their jobs. If they succeed in rescuing the kidnapped, they believe their work is done, but the kidnappers are rarely mentioned again. We all know that the police have inadequate training and equipment, but there are also worrying signs that their loyalty is being questioned. Some leakers have regretted confiding in them. Government’s first and foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety of its own citizens. This function has been largely disregarded in Nigeria. The Nigerian state is unable to protect its citizens. Many Nigerians have become devout as a result of the current political climate. At night, entire families hide behind high walls and pray for divine intervention. However, kidnapping is infinitely more disturbing than armed robbery because it frequently takes place in broad daylight among unsuspecting people going about their daily lives.
Everyone should be concerned about the growing insecurity in Nigeria. This threat can happen anywhere: in a church, a mosque, a market, a school, a home, or even on the highway. Kidnapping is traumatic for both the abductees and their loved ones. Consequently, Nigeria is failing to attract foreign investment. Poor leadership and management are having a real impact on the lives of Nigerians. It is clear that the level of insecurity in some parts of the country has risen to the point where almost everyone is concerned about where the region is headed. People today worry about being robbed or kidnapped all the time, to the point where they have trouble sleeping. To avoid being kidnapped or robbed, many businessmen have fled with their enterprises. In just three years, kidnapping and hostagetaking have spread from the Niger Delta creeks to the mainland. In the South and East, where thousands of young people are able but unemployed, the monster has taken firm root. Existing evidence that even government officials and traditional rulers are not spared helps contextualize the current security challenge in the country. Despite the extensive security measures in place, members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, as well as their families, are frequent targets of kidnappings. As a result, some of these officials have fled with their families, abandoning the civilian population to the mercy of the marauding gangs, and the geopolitical zone or country they once protected. The once-secure states of Abuja and Lagos appear to be at the forefront of the kidnapping epidemic.
Apathy on our political history could be attributed to a poor leadership elite who are unresponsive to this state of insecurity because they are too focused on how to acquire political power, one of the socioeconomic factors that facilitate kidnapping in Nigeria. They don’t give a hoot about the hopes and dreams of their country or their citizens’ right to live with respect and dignity. The rise in kidnappings and other crimes is a direct result of ineffective leadership.
Our political leaders are preoccupied with questions of power accumulation for their own selfish ends, to the detriment of the duties incumbent upon them. The nature of our political leadership at all levels runs counter to the rationale and philosophy of governance, which is, at its heart, the defense of basic social values and the advancement of human dignity. Nigeria’s shoddy security measures are a further enabler of kidnappings there. These criminal acts must be condemned, but so must the ineptitude and complicity of the security services. Nigerians, who have waited in vain for the realization of the promises of democratic governance since 1999, have a right to demand that the Federal Government, which has exclusive power over security matters, immediately put in place a mechanism for ending the booming kidnapping or hostagetaking racket, particularly in some parts of the country.
The government did not seem to understand the threat that this trend posed to the country’s economy. According to experts, this incident was a direct attack on the respect and rights of Nigerian workers. Current discussions on Nigeria’s political economy are dominated by the Political Economy of the Niger Delta Crisis. Due to a failure to implement genuine federalism, the people of Niger Delta have been unfairly denied access to funds intended for community development projects. Thus, the agitation for resource control and youth militancy (it seems that force is the only option to correct social injustice in Nigeria) in the region can be traced back to the inequity in resource allocation and systemic injustice that have subjected the people to economic hardship and misery.
If the underlying causes of the unrest are not resolved peacefully, it could escalate into a much more serious political and national security problem and cripple the economy. Investors from both abroad and at home would flee the country if the crisis worsens and leading economic indicators continue to point downward.
Declining social status is another driving force behind kidnapping. If we take a look at modern-day Nigeria, we can see that we have mortgaged our traditional values of reverence for human life, compassion for those less fortunate, a willingness to work hard, openness to new experiences and people, and hostility toward those who are different from us in favor of Western values and a more showy orientation. These have sown the seeds of modern criminality and social evil, undermining the very fabric of our society. Despite the state’s increased focus on youth issues, many issues persist. It is especially challenging for young specialists to find their place in the labor market in the current global economic crisis and the accompanying rise in unemployment.
Unemployment causes a variety of physical and mental difficulties that can lead to antisocial behavior. When young people face obstacles on their path to self-realization, they often pivot to a different line of work. Scholars have noted, therefore, that many of them recognize the need to take personal initiatives and intend to find a way out of their predicament. A state policy and a program must be developed to address the growing youth employment crisis. The labor market represents the aggregate supply and demand for labor, and it is through this interaction that the economically active population allocates its available labor to the many sectors of the economy. The relationship between employers and employees is forged in the labor market, and it is this bond that ultimately facilitates the integration of labor and capital. This helps the former, who need labor, and the latter, who need money, meet their respective needs.
Undoubtedly, kidnapping has posed a threat to, and distorted, the Nigerian labor market. As a result, the threat’s effects manifested themselves and businesses across the country started their descent into economic doom. As a result, businesses and investors lost faith while the kidnapper wreaked havoc across Nigeria, and the populace suffered as a result. Because of this plague, economic and social life in some states is coming to a grinding halt, with factories closing and people avoiding their hometowns. It has been claimed that kidnapping is a major threat to Nigeria’s economy and the country’s continued existence. Because of the fear caused by kidnapping, potential investors may be deterred from coming here, which would have a negative impact on the economy as a whole.
Thus, kidnapping has had an effect on business, particularly high-profile business, as kidnappers are less likely to target a newspaper vendor or a car mechanic. They kidnap a business owner or someone with access to the millions of dollars that they typically demand. So, when they avoid a place, the local economy suffers. The labor market is a likely candidate for explaining this phenomenon. Some researchers have suggested that unemployment and low wages may encourage criminal behavior. Kidnappers who were interviewed put the blame for their crimes on the economy, which has been linked to an increase in crime overall and violence in particular. Research shows that factors like low wages, high unemployment, and a lack of job opportunities all contribute to making crime seem more appealing. Indeed, kidnapping may seem appealing to a young man who lacks a formal education and is having trouble finding gainful employment. As time goes on, brazenness, the only real qualification for kidnapping, loses its significance.
Therefore, the Nigerian government should be pragmatic in its policy decisions to address these fundamental issues, such as poverty, economic hardship, which has been fueled by corruption of the leaders, and above all, massive unemployment and low wages, which threaten the foundation of peace and our very existence as a nation.
Government agencies ought to collaborate with labor market bodies. It is past due for the government to reevaluate some of the organizations that serve as information hubs for both job seekers and employers. The government should work to maximize the country’s potential by facilitating the development of its resources.Without being told, the government of Nigeria has the duty to guarantee the safety of every citizen.
Government officials in Nigeria need to make it a priority to put every citizen to work, and to provide basic necessities like clean water and electricity.
This means that the solution to unemployment lies in shifting the economy away from oil and toward farming and related industries. In order to increase employment opportunities, it is necessary to adapt secondary and higher education programs to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse economy. In order to combat this epidemic, it is crucial to provide young people with the tools they need to become successful business owners. If the government reworks existing programs, it can help train young people who have dropped out of school and are currently unemployed. However, it’s important to note that this training must result in employable skills for these youth.
To conclude, addressing this social ill will require teamwork; we support identifying and punishing those responsible, but more importantly, we urge public officials to avoid corrupt practices and flaunt their wealth. Good governance, characterized by responsibility, openness, and impartiality, should be prioritized. With these factors in place, kidnapping will be less appealing and more compassion, patriotism, sustainable development, and nation building will emerge as positive responses across the country.
