The Impact of Kidnapping for Ransom on Nigeria’s Image
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Published:
May 16, 2023
Keywords:
Kidnap, Kidnapping, Image, Security, Nigeria
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Abstract
Kidnapping is a long-standing global phenomenon, which is not unique to any continent or country. However, it has taken on a new dimension in the 21st century with the development of kidnapping for ransom. Kidnapping for ransom is now a lucrative business in many nations of the world, and has grown particularly worrisome in Nigeria, due to the country’s weak security system. It is in this regard that this article examines the impact of kidnapping for ransom on Nigeria’s image. The study explores the evolution of kidnapping in Nigeria, causes of kidnapping, effects of kidnapping on victims and its impact on Nigeria’s image. The study, which is qualitative in nature, discovers that Nigeria- a country that has long struggled with maintaining a positive image has allowed kidnapping to linger for too long. The paper posits that Nigeria has become insecure for
both locals and foreigners and this has consequently affected foreign direct investment, tourism and migration. The paper thus argues that if kidnapping for ransom is not adequately tackled, it will hinder the growth of the economy arising from the consequence of hampered image of the country in the comity of nations. It therefore concludes that there is a need for the government to take proactive measures rather than reactive ones towards this menace.
Article Details
How to Cite
Osegboun, A. E., & Oladipo, T. D. (2023). The Impact of Kidnapping for Ransom on Nigeria’s Image. African Journal of Stability & Development, 15(1&2), 75-92. https://doi.org/10.53982/ajsd.2023.1501_2.05-j
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References
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Economic Development: A Case Study of Uyo Metropolis. A Degree Thesis, Department
of Sociology and Anthropology, University Of Uyo, Nigeria.
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Akinterinwa, B. A. (2013). Reflections on Nigeria in a pluriverse world of decline and incline,
Nigeria and the challenges of nation-building. Vie internationalecontemporaine, 2007-2012: NIIA.
Akpan, N. S. (2010). Kidnapping in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: An Exploratory Study. Journal of
Social Sciences, 24(1), 33-42. DOI:10.1080/09718923.2010.11892834.
Aleyomi, M.B. (2020). Nigeria’s Image Crisis. Drivers, Efforts and Prospects. African Identities 18(3). 1-16. DOI: 10.1080/14725843.2020.1775549
Alexander, D. A. (2005). Early Mental Health Intervention after Disasters. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 11(1),12–18.
Alexander, D. A., & Klein, S. (2009). Kidnapping and hostage-taking: A review of effects,
coping and resilience. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 102, 16-21. DOI:10.1258/jrsm.2008.080347.
Ayuba, M.R. (2020). Kidnap for Ransom: Exploring the Catalysts in Kaduna State, North
Western Nigeria. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343404039 _KIDNAP_FOR_RANSOM_EXPLORING_THE_CATALYSTS_IN_KADUNA_STATE_NORTH_WESTERN_NIGERIA.
Brijs, K., Bloemer, J., & Kasper, H. (2011). Country-Image Discourse Model: Unraveling
Meaning, Structure, and Function of Country Images. Journal of Business Research, 64(12), 1259–1269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.01.017.
Chidi, N. J. (2014). Kidnapping in Nigeria: An Emerging Social Crime and the Implications for
The Labour Market. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 4(1), 133-145.
Chinwokwu, E. C. & Michael, C.E. (2019). Militancy and Violence as a Catalyst to Kidnapping
in Nigeria. International Journal of Police Science and Management, 21(1), 17-35. DOI: 10.117/1461355719832619.
Constellis Report (2020). Global Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report. https://www.constellis.com/report/global-kidnap-for-ransom-insight-report-november-2020/
Control Risks, (2014). Kidnap Monthly Briefing, Vol. 96, Johannesburg.
Greenawalt, K. (1989). Speech, crime, and the uses of language. Oxford University
Press.
Goldberg, K. (2000, September 7). Kidnapping becomes growth industry. Retrieved from
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Ibrahim, Y.K, Ahmad, A.A, &Shehu, S. (2021). Impact of Incessant Kidnapping on External
Relations: A Case Study of Nigeria. Liberal Arts & Social Sciences International Journal, 5(1), 209-229. DOI: 10.47264/idea.lassij/5.1.15.
Ibrahim, B., & Mukhtar, J. I. (2017). An Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of
Kidnapping in Nigeria. African Research Review, 11(4), 134-143. DOI: 10.4314/afrrev.v11i4.11.
Inyang, J. D. & Ubong, E. A. (2013). The Social Problem of Kidnapping and its Implications on
the Socio-Economic Development of Nigeria: A Study of Uyo Metropolis. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4(6).
Lyman, M., & Potter, G. (2007). Organized Crimes (4thed). Prentice Hall.
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Nnorom, N (2021, April 4). Worsening unemployment: Why jobs are disappearing in Nigeria, by
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NYA24 (2017). Kidnap for Ransom Global Trends 2017. https://www.aig.dk/content/dam/aig/emea/ denmark/documents/k-r-trends2017-nya.pdf
Odeku, K. O. (2020). Kidnapping of International Tourists in Nigeria: Impact on the Hospitality
Sector. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 9(2), 1-10.
Odoma, S (2019). Organised Crime, Kidnapping and Nigerian National Security. The
International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention, 6 (6), 5472-5484. DOI: 10.18535/ijsshi/v6i6.01.
Odoma, S.U. &Akor, L.Y. (2019). Kidnapping: A Lucrative Crime in 21st Century in Nigeria.
Global Journal of Human Social Science, 19(3), 28-39.
Ogu, M.I. (2013). Rational Choice Theory: Assumptions, Strengths and Greatest Mistake inApplication Outside the Western Milieu Context. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 1(3), 90-99.
Okoli, A. C., &Agada, F. T. (2014). Kidnapping and National Security in Nigeria. Research on
Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(6), 137-146.
Okoroafor, E.C and Dike, K.C (2010). Culture, Communication, and National Image: The Way
Forward for Nigeria. Internal Journal of Development and Management Review,5(1).75-78.
Olaniyan, A. (2017). Foliage and Violence: Interrogating Forests as a Security Threat in Nigeria. African Security Review. DOI: 10.1080/10246029.2017.1369135
Onuoha, F.C. &Okolie-Osemene, J. (2019). The evolving threats of kidnapping for ransom in
Nigeria, in O.O. Oshita, Y.M. Alumona, & F.C. Onuoha (Eds). Internal security management in Nigeria. Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: 10.10071978-981-138215-4_12.
Osumah, O, &Aghedo, A. (2011). Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Nigerian Youths and the
Commodification of Kidnapping. Review of African Political Economy, 38(128), 277-287. DOI: 10.1080/03056244.2011.582769.
Oyekanmi, S. (2021). Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria slumps to its lowest in 11 years.
Nairametrics. https://nairametrics.com/2021/08/02/foreign-direct -investment-into-nigeria-slumps-to-its-lowest-in-11-years/
Oyewole, S. (2016). Kidnapping for Rituals: Article of Faith and Insecurity in Nigeria. The
Journal of Pan African Studies, 9(9): 35-52.
SBMorgen. (2020, May). Nigeria’s Kidnap Problem: The Economics of the Kidnap Industry in
Nigeria. https://www.sbmintel.com/wp-content/ uploads/2020/05/202005_Nigeria-Kidnap.pdf.
Taylor, A. (2016). Thoughts on the Nature and Consequences of Ungoverned Space. SAIS
Review of International Affairs, 36(1), 5-15.
Townsend, J (2008). Poverty and Energy: Natural Resource Nationalism and the Natural
Resource Curse. Regions, No. 271. The Newsletter of the Regional Studies Association, 11-12.
Tzanelli, R. (2006). Capitalising on Value: Towards a Sociological Understanding of
Kidnapping. Sociology SAGE publications 40(5), 929-947.
DOI:10.1177/0038038506067516.
Uzorma, P.N. &Nwanegbo-Ben, J. (2014). Challenges of Hostage Taking and Kidnapping in the
Southern Eastern Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Humanities Arts and Literature, 2(6), 131-142.
Williams, R. (2005). The Psychological Consequences for Children of Mass Violence, Terrorism
and Disasters. Int Rev Psychiatric, 19, 263-277. doi: 10.1080/09540260701349480. PMID: 17566904.
Zannoni, I. E. (2003). Understanding and Managing the Threat of Kidnapping. Telematic
Journal of Clinical Criminology. Retrieved from: http://securitysa.com/article.asp?pklArticleID=2443&pklIssueID=333&pklCategoryID=88.
Economic Development: A Case Study of Uyo Metropolis. A Degree Thesis, Department
of Sociology and Anthropology, University Of Uyo, Nigeria.
Ajayi, K. (2006). Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and Image Crisis. The Social Sciences, 1(2), 110–117.
http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/medwelljournals/sscience/2006/110117.
Akinterinwa, B. A. (2013). Reflections on Nigeria in a pluriverse world of decline and incline,
Nigeria and the challenges of nation-building. Vie internationalecontemporaine, 2007-2012: NIIA.
Akpan, N. S. (2010). Kidnapping in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: An Exploratory Study. Journal of
Social Sciences, 24(1), 33-42. DOI:10.1080/09718923.2010.11892834.
Aleyomi, M.B. (2020). Nigeria’s Image Crisis. Drivers, Efforts and Prospects. African Identities 18(3). 1-16. DOI: 10.1080/14725843.2020.1775549
Alexander, D. A. (2005). Early Mental Health Intervention after Disasters. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 11(1),12–18.
Alexander, D. A., & Klein, S. (2009). Kidnapping and hostage-taking: A review of effects,
coping and resilience. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 102, 16-21. DOI:10.1258/jrsm.2008.080347.
Ayuba, M.R. (2020). Kidnap for Ransom: Exploring the Catalysts in Kaduna State, North
Western Nigeria. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343404039 _KIDNAP_FOR_RANSOM_EXPLORING_THE_CATALYSTS_IN_KADUNA_STATE_NORTH_WESTERN_NIGERIA.
Brijs, K., Bloemer, J., & Kasper, H. (2011). Country-Image Discourse Model: Unraveling
Meaning, Structure, and Function of Country Images. Journal of Business Research, 64(12), 1259–1269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.01.017.
Chidi, N. J. (2014). Kidnapping in Nigeria: An Emerging Social Crime and the Implications for
The Labour Market. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 4(1), 133-145.
Chinwokwu, E. C. & Michael, C.E. (2019). Militancy and Violence as a Catalyst to Kidnapping
in Nigeria. International Journal of Police Science and Management, 21(1), 17-35. DOI: 10.117/1461355719832619.
Constellis Report (2020). Global Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report. https://www.constellis.com/report/global-kidnap-for-ransom-insight-report-november-2020/
Control Risks, (2014). Kidnap Monthly Briefing, Vol. 96, Johannesburg.
Greenawalt, K. (1989). Speech, crime, and the uses of language. Oxford University
Press.
Goldberg, K. (2000, September 7). Kidnapping becomes growth industry. Retrieved from
http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/914448stm.
Ibrahim, Y.K, Ahmad, A.A, &Shehu, S. (2021). Impact of Incessant Kidnapping on External
Relations: A Case Study of Nigeria. Liberal Arts & Social Sciences International Journal, 5(1), 209-229. DOI: 10.47264/idea.lassij/5.1.15.
Ibrahim, B., & Mukhtar, J. I. (2017). An Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of
Kidnapping in Nigeria. African Research Review, 11(4), 134-143. DOI: 10.4314/afrrev.v11i4.11.
Inyang, J. D. & Ubong, E. A. (2013). The Social Problem of Kidnapping and its Implications on
the Socio-Economic Development of Nigeria: A Study of Uyo Metropolis. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4(6).
Lyman, M., & Potter, G. (2007). Organized Crimes (4thed). Prentice Hall.
Meyer, C. (2021, March 22). Mass kidnap for ransom continue in Nigeria. Security Management
Magazine. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2021/march/mass-kidnap-for-ransom-attacks-continue-in-nigeria/
Mutum, R. (2016), Five Recent High-Profile Kidnappings in Nigeria, Abuja: Daily Trust
Newspaper.
Nnorom, N (2021, April 4). Worsening unemployment: Why jobs are disappearing in Nigeria, by
experts. Vanguard News.
NYA24 (2017). Kidnap for Ransom Global Trends 2017. https://www.aig.dk/content/dam/aig/emea/ denmark/documents/k-r-trends2017-nya.pdf
Odeku, K. O. (2020). Kidnapping of International Tourists in Nigeria: Impact on the Hospitality
Sector. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 9(2), 1-10.
Odoma, S (2019). Organised Crime, Kidnapping and Nigerian National Security. The
International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention, 6 (6), 5472-5484. DOI: 10.18535/ijsshi/v6i6.01.
Odoma, S.U. &Akor, L.Y. (2019). Kidnapping: A Lucrative Crime in 21st Century in Nigeria.
Global Journal of Human Social Science, 19(3), 28-39.
Ogu, M.I. (2013). Rational Choice Theory: Assumptions, Strengths and Greatest Mistake inApplication Outside the Western Milieu Context. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 1(3), 90-99.
Okoli, A. C., &Agada, F. T. (2014). Kidnapping and National Security in Nigeria. Research on
Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(6), 137-146.
Okoroafor, E.C and Dike, K.C (2010). Culture, Communication, and National Image: The Way
Forward for Nigeria. Internal Journal of Development and Management Review,5(1).75-78.
Olaniyan, A. (2017). Foliage and Violence: Interrogating Forests as a Security Threat in Nigeria. African Security Review. DOI: 10.1080/10246029.2017.1369135
Onuoha, F.C. &Okolie-Osemene, J. (2019). The evolving threats of kidnapping for ransom in
Nigeria, in O.O. Oshita, Y.M. Alumona, & F.C. Onuoha (Eds). Internal security management in Nigeria. Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: 10.10071978-981-138215-4_12.
Osumah, O, &Aghedo, A. (2011). Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Nigerian Youths and the
Commodification of Kidnapping. Review of African Political Economy, 38(128), 277-287. DOI: 10.1080/03056244.2011.582769.
Oyekanmi, S. (2021). Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria slumps to its lowest in 11 years.
Nairametrics. https://nairametrics.com/2021/08/02/foreign-direct -investment-into-nigeria-slumps-to-its-lowest-in-11-years/
Oyewole, S. (2016). Kidnapping for Rituals: Article of Faith and Insecurity in Nigeria. The
Journal of Pan African Studies, 9(9): 35-52.
SBMorgen. (2020, May). Nigeria’s Kidnap Problem: The Economics of the Kidnap Industry in
Nigeria. https://www.sbmintel.com/wp-content/ uploads/2020/05/202005_Nigeria-Kidnap.pdf.
Taylor, A. (2016). Thoughts on the Nature and Consequences of Ungoverned Space. SAIS
Review of International Affairs, 36(1), 5-15.
Townsend, J (2008). Poverty and Energy: Natural Resource Nationalism and the Natural
Resource Curse. Regions, No. 271. The Newsletter of the Regional Studies Association, 11-12.
Tzanelli, R. (2006). Capitalising on Value: Towards a Sociological Understanding of
Kidnapping. Sociology SAGE publications 40(5), 929-947.
DOI:10.1177/0038038506067516.
Uzorma, P.N. &Nwanegbo-Ben, J. (2014). Challenges of Hostage Taking and Kidnapping in the
Southern Eastern Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Humanities Arts and Literature, 2(6), 131-142.
Williams, R. (2005). The Psychological Consequences for Children of Mass Violence, Terrorism
and Disasters. Int Rev Psychiatric, 19, 263-277. doi: 10.1080/09540260701349480. PMID: 17566904.
Zannoni, I. E. (2003). Understanding and Managing the Threat of Kidnapping. Telematic
Journal of Clinical Criminology. Retrieved from: http://securitysa.com/article.asp?pklArticleID=2443&pklIssueID=333&pklCategoryID=88.