Introduction
“Kidnapping,” according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, means taking somebody away illegally and keeping him/her as a prisoner, especially to get money or something else for returning him/her. It means to abduct somebody by force and hold them prisoner usually until a ransom is paid. The kidnapping phenomenon in Nigeria has taken an alarming dimension, such that it now rivals legitimate business as a top economic activity. Nigeria today is one of the major kidnapping capitals of the world—a criminal act which first attracted national attention on 26th February 2006.
This was when Niger Delta militants first kidnapped foreign oil workers to press home their demands. This has since become ubiquitous and commercialized, spreading from the Niger Delta to virtually all parts of the country. Victims are no longer only foreign oil workers, but also Nigerians, old and young. Perpetrators have changed from militants to various criminal elements: armed robbers, the unemployed, professional “419ers,” and Boko Haram. Ransom-motivated kidnapping is now a burgeoning business planned across borders, including Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Republic of Benin.
Literature Review
There is a common tendency to blame this wave of kidnapping on the agitation in the Niger Delta, high unemployment, or the ostentatious display of wealth by the upper class. However, the root of kidnapping can be traced to “natural resource nationalism”—the tendency to seek bigger shares of returns from natural resources. It is compounded by “accumulation politics,” where the ruling class endangers the system through marginalization and deprivation.
Perceived economic marginalization gave rise to agitations. After the Federal Government introduced the amnesty programme, which was embraced by many militants, the “leftovers”—political thugs used and dumped by their political godfathers—formed an army of unemployed youths who turned to this nefarious activity as a means of survival.
General Background to Kidnapping in Nigeria
What began in the South-South geopolitical zone spread into the South-East, the South-West, and then the Northern zones facilitated by Boko Haram. By 2010, all major cities in the country had become hot spots for kidnapping. Former Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo, stated that it “threatens the substratum of our national security.”
Kidnapping has Broadened because idle, unemployed young men and women believe it is lucrative with minimum risk of being caught. This follows a general trend in Nigeria where people flock to lucrative businesses (like the “pure water” business or finance houses of the 90s) without regard for legality. In the South-East, Abia State became an epicenter, crippling genuine profit-making activities in Aba as banks were forced to close due to frequent violent attacks.
Versions of Kidnapping in Nigeria
- Kidnapping as a Liberation Struggle: Earlier versions by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had no monetary attachment but were focused on state development.
- Kidnapping for Economic Reasons: Regulated by the laws of demand and supply; kidnappers are seen as illegal businessmen. If the demand (payment) is removed, the supply (victims) will decrease.
- Kidnapping as a Political Tool: Used for political vendettas or to settle political scores, specifically targeting key politicians or foreign contractors.
- Kidnapping to Extract Money from Mentors: Carried out by “used and dumped” political thugs who regroup against their former sponsors.
- Kidnapping as a New Habit of Crime: Petty abductions of children or relatives for small ransoms, sometimes as low as N20,000 to N30,000 in recharge cards.
Implications of Kidnapping to the Nigerian Economy
Kidnapping has affected development in negative ways, costing Nigeria billions of Naira daily. Multinationals are closing shops, and the cost of living is rising due to insecurity. Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Odein Ajumogobia, noted that Nigeria has lost billions in daily production capacity. Oil companies are hit with increased costs for insurance and security perquisites to retain staff.
The pace of growth is slowing as investors flee to neighboring West African countries like Ghana. The criminal enterprise makes industries close shops and prevents new capital flow. This phenomenon is a fallout of man-made inherent inequalities in the Nigerian socio-political system. Victims now include traditional rulers, wealthy clergymen, and their families. Even high-profile athletes like midfielder John Obi Mikel saw their fathers abducted for ransom, highlighting that no one is safe.
Remedies and Suggested Solutions
The three tiers of government must see kidnapping as a national problem. It is not insurmountable; when high-profile government relations are taken, they are often recovered almost immediately. If the same seriousness were applied to every citizen, kidnapping would be a thing of the past.
Proposed Remedies:
- Restructuring into a true federation with fiscal federalism to allow federating units to be financially independent.
- Allowing federating units to run their own police forces to protect citizens within their territory.
- Overhauling intelligence and surveillance units to provide reports before crimes happen.
- Overhauling security at checkpoints to be more vigilant.
- Inviting international assistance from the global community (e.g., Britain and Israel).
- Enforcing the bill on terrorism and ensuring kidnapping is punishable by death, following the example of the Delta State House of Assembly.
Surviving Kidnapping
If kidnapped, passive cooperation is best. According to the U.S. Department of Security, you are only of value to your captors while alive.
- Establish Rapport: Try to establish a relationship with your abductors without engaging in political discussions.
- Plan for a Lengthy Stay: Note changes in temperature and outside noises (traffic, birds) to approximate time.
- Mental Control: Maintain mental clarity and avoid disorientation despite isolation.
Conclusion
Kidnapping is alien to the culture of Nigeria, a nation known for communal living and being “our brother’s keeper.” All well-meaning Nigerians, including clergymen and traditional rulers, should join the government in fighting this menace. The effect on the economy is enormous as it scares away development partners. The government at all levels must tackle this problem with total seriousness and ensure law enforcement agents are adequately armed for this purpose.
References
- Adibe, J. O. (2011). Pervasive Kidnapping in Nigeria: Symptom of a Failing State.
- Townsend, J. (2018). Poverty and Energy: Natural Resource Nationalism and the Natural Resource Curse.
- U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Department of State Publication 10217.
- Vanguard Sports (2011). Ransom Demand for John Obi Mikel’s Father.
