A STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING KIDNAPPING IN ZURMI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This article examines the factors that influence kidnapping in Zurmi local
government area of Zamfara state, covering the periods between 2019–2023. Since the return
to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has witnessed a catalogue of increased crimes and insecurity.
Kidnapping and ransom collection are such, which have bedevilled especially in the Zurmi area
of Zamfara state. Kidnapping has great adverse effects on the nation’s socio-economic
development. The act is closely linked to armed banditry, cattle rustling and armed robbery.
The wealthy and low-income earners have been picked up by kidnappers who only free their
victims after payments of ransom. This menace exerts enormous and far-reaching economic
and social costs. It induces and creates a palpable ambience of fear and despair for all citizens,
stultifies economic growth, and hinders sustainable development. This study adopted a mixed
method utilising both in-depth interviews and structured questionnaires to identify the factors
that influence kidnapping in Zurmi, Zamfara state. In terms of findings, the data revealed that
the factors that influence kidnapping in the study area include poverty, unemployment,
illiteracy, revenge, governmental negligence of herdsmen’s grazing areas, antisocial
tendencies, injustice and envy. Other factors include lacking religious faith, breach of trust
among people, injustice of leaders, competition among people, desire for luxury, corruption,
poor socialization, high level of immorality, poor parental control, drug abuse, lack of
awareness, inequality in resource allocation, poor security system, disrespect of tradition
leaders, parental negligence, and rampant divorce. The research adopted the Rational Choice
Theory (RCT) as its theoretical frame of reference to explain the menace of kidnapping and its
consequences on the community. RCT posits that in any course of action, individuals weigh up
the likely benefits and disadvantages of each action. Before kidnappers go into the act, they
must have weighed the options and concluded more rewards than punishment. In order to
address the causes of kidnapping in the study area, the study offered recommendations. These
include the need for the governments to create job opportunities for the teeming youth as well
as an enabling environment so that private sectors can thrive. Also, there should be proper
protection of the identities of the public members that supply useful information to security
agencies.