CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to The Study

Nigeria is presently beset by a slew of illegal activities, one of which is abduction, which crosses the country's borders (Alemika, 2013). According to the united nation (2016) kidnapping indexes, 82 percent of adults and 16 percent of children were abducted in Europe and Central Asia; 73 percent of adults and 27 percent of children were abducted in the American continent; and 61 percent of adults and 39 percent of children were abducted in Southeast Asia.

More adults were kidnapped in the specified regions, according to these numbers. By 2016, 32 percent of abductions in Africa involved adults, while 68 percent involved children (United Nations; cited in Odey, 2017).

According to Usman Alkali Baba(2020), the Present -Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, kidnappings numbered between 685 and 900 people every year across the country. Its tentacles have expanded across the country, primarily in the south eastern and south western areas, where 79.8% of abductions are estimated (Toromade, 2019).  

Concerns over abduction have been heated as new patterns in the heinous crime have gained national and worldwide attention. Anxiety among academics has recently grown as a result of the fact that most victims are drawn from educational institutions in huge numbers. Despite the fact that abduction is common and has negative consequences for both rich and developing countries, it has a longstanding experience.

 According to Chidi (2014) the word "kidnapping" comes from the words "child" and "nab," which means "to grab." Since 1673, this term has been used to describe the practice of snatching children to use as servants or laborers in the American colonies. Crime has evolved beyond the snatching of children to include any illegal capture or imprisonment of a person or persons against their will, irrespective of age.

According to Tuner (2011), as cited in Odoemelam and Omage (2013) is of the opinion that the literal genesis of kidnapping may be traced back to the late 17th century. In roman Times, the Emperor Constantine (AD 315) was so concerned about the occurrence of abduction that he ordered the death sentence as a consequence. As a result, abduction has remained a persistent concern. As a result, other countries such as India, Mexico, the Bahamas, and other parts of the world are said to be plagued by the heinous crime of abduction (Abdulkabir, 2017).

 Osumah and Aghedo (2011) opines that Raids, robbery, theft, and kidnapping of able-bodied males in Nigeria were all part of the nineteenth-century slave trade rivalry, according to history. This phenomenon has continued to occur since then. Kidnapping became a major concern in Nigeria in early 2006, when terrorists in the Niger Delta kidnapped a number of oil workers, ostensibly to call international attention to the country's catastrophic circumstances in the oil-rich region(Osumah and Aghedo 2011). Foreigners made up the majority of the hostages. Kidnapping has since expanded to other sections of the country especially to the south west region of Nigeria (Abraham, 2013; Okoli 2013).

    The objectives have now been seized by both locals and foreigners. Eventually, every Nigerian, regardless of social class or background, becomes a viable target in the south west.

According to Johnmary and Ndubuisi (2014) Kidnapping became a serious threat to peace and security of those living in the south west region of Nigeria. According to Abdulkabir (2017) the rate of abduction in Nigeria was proportionally rising such that more than 2010 innocent persons, including Chibok girls, politicians, public officials, powerful figures, and kings, were alleged to have been kidnapped between 2014 and 2017 .Nigeria was ranked as one of the worst locations to live on earth as a result of the numerous kidnapping occurrences (Abdulkabir, 2017). Global kidnap for kidnapping (2021) reports by a global security service help to prove this point.

Nigerian Youth Administration (2018) opined that the Incidences discovered in the first quarter of 2017 Kidnappings were most common in Asia in 2017, accounting for roughly 43% of all cases. Africa came in second, with Nigeria topping the list of nations in the region, followed by South Sudan and Somalia. Africa has a 36 percent index. The Americas accounted for 14% of all kidnapping instances, while the Middle East and Europe accounted for fewer than 10 percent.

Kidnapping is prevalent in Nigeria not just now, but also in the past, despite the fact that it is rarely reported in historic tabloids. It's possible that the restoration of democracy has resulted in the abduction of political foes. Chris Ngige, the present Minister of Labour and Employment and the former Governor of Anambra State, was abducted in 2003(Johnmary and Ndubuisi, 2014). This is only one of several kidnapping instances in the country with political overtones (Johnmary and Ndubuisi, 2014). Regardless of the excuse, abduction has never been without a clear motive. In general, academics have suggested that abduction has arisen as a method of interaction among rivals and co-competitors for economic wellbeing, obtaining political stakes, human sacrifice, and corporate benefit. Second, as previously said, kidnapping is supposed to stem from political tensions, in which politicians employ some youthful and idle minds to further their political interests by capturing and oppressing rivals. On the other end of the spectrum, some kidnapper are compelled to do this heinous action in order to get vital human body parts for rites or sacrifices. People are sacrificed for a variety of reasons, including political or financial might, protection, reconciliation, and so on (Abdulkabir, 2017). As a result, despite the demeaning exploits of this demonic act's nature, it has persisted to expand its tentacle throughout south western Region of Nigeria. Kidnapping has become a big national issue in recent years. Its topic is of grave relevance to policymakers, non-governmental organizations, political and religious leaders, and all parties concerned in development and growth of the south western region of Nigeria (Jeribe and Nlemchukwu, 2016). This study therefore centered on Political Economy of Kidnapping in South Western Region in Nigeria

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Over the years South west region of Nigeria has experienced series of kidnappings being carried out by criminal gangs which has disguised as Fulani herdsmen which usually carry out this crime in remote areas to kidnap travellers on transit for ransom. In some cases when the fail to pay up the ransom the victims tend to be killed or tortured this has left those victims either dead or mentally unstable. As a result of this the south west region has taken some preventive measures such as introduction of “Amotekun” security outfit to fight crimes including kidnapping in the south west region.

The introduction of this security outfit has left little or no impact in the reduction of kidnapping in the region which has lead to the motivation of this study. A lot of research has been done on kidnapping in other regions such south south and south, north and south east. Little or no research has been done on political kidnapping especially in south west region therefore this is a gap that this study intend to fill.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major purpose of this study is to examine political economy of kidnapping in south western region in Nigeria. Other general objectives of the study are:

1) To assess the level of the prevalence of kidnapping in Nigeria

2) To examine the effect of political economy of kidnapping on security of south west Region of Nigeria

3) To examine factors that influence kidnapping in the south west region of Nigeria

4) To outline the causes of kidnapping in south west

5) To recommend ways of eradicating the political economy of kidnapping in south west of Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions shall guide this study and in the course of this research, we shall attempt to find answers to the following questions:

1) What is the level of the prevalence of kidnapping in Nigeria?

2) What is the effect of political economy of kidnapping on security of south west Region of Nigeria?

3) What are the factors that influence kidnapping in the south west region of Nigeria?

4)What are the causes of kidnapping in south west?

5) What are the ways of eradicating the political economy of kidnapping in south west of Nigeria?

1.5 HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

Hypothesis

HO: community policing has no significant effect on the political economy of kidnapping in the south west region of Nigeria

H1: community policing has a significant effect on the political economy of kidnapping in the south west region of Nigeria

Hypothesis 2:

HO: There is no significant relationship between the political economy of kidnapping and the security of south west region of Nigeria

H1: There is a significant relationship between the political economy of kidnapping and the security of south west region of Nigeria

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Kidnapping has now become a generic word both in public and private discuss going by its prevalence in the south west region. Literarily, the word, which has become notorious, putrid and nauseating in the ears of virtually everyone is derived from “kid” meaning; child and “nab” which means; to snatch. Adewale (2009) pointed out that kidnapping now appears to be an emerging concern in Nigeria though it is not a new phenomenon. It is as old as the word itself. But the motive may vary from country to country. The study will serve as a guide to a better and safe the south west region and Nigeria as a whole which will eventually lead to socio economic development of the Nation by attracting both local and foreign investors. As the study is focused on a particular region, It will help the government of the region to understand the impediments to the control of kidnapping activities in the Region and as well as implementing possible solutions to be a better place where all and sundry will live safely. Finally, it will be an added research work and literature on political economy of kidnapping in south western region in Nigeria

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 

The study would cover the Political Economy of Kidnapping in South Western Region in Nigeria. The study tends to limit the internal validity of the result to south west region of Nigeria. Little or no research has been carried out in the south west region hence the scope of the study.

1.8 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyze information about a topic. In a research paper, the methodology section allows the reader to critically evaluate a study's overall validity and reliability

Primary and secondary data were used to compile the information for this study. The primary data was gathered utilizing a questionnaire form as a major research tool in a field study. Secondary data, on the other hand, came from a variety of sources, including texts, newspapers, articles, periodicals, and academic journals and dissertations.

1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

KIDNAPPING: In criminal law, kidnapping is the unlawful confinement of a person against their will, often including transportation. The asportation and abduction element is typically but not necessarily conducted by means of force or fear: the perpetrator may use a weapon to force the victim into a vehicle, but it is still kidnapping if the victim is enticed to enter the vehicle willingly (e.g. in the belief that it is a taxicab).

POLITICAL ECONOMY: Political economy is the study of production and trade and their relations with law, custom and government; and with the distribution of national income and wealth.

COMMUNITY POLICING: Community policing, or community-oriented policing, is a strategy of policing that focuses on developing relationships with community members.