Public Perception of the Effect of Kidnapping on the Socio-Economic Development of Ideato South Local Government Area Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This work investigated public perception of the effect of kidnapping on the socio-economic development of Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. The Social Disorganization Theory was adopted as the theoretical framework. The study adopted the mixed methods research design, using the multistage sampling procedure in the selection of 204 respondents. The target population consisted of adult residents, defined as people aged 18 years and above in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State. The questionnaire and In-Depth Interview (IDI) guide served as instruments for data collection. The quantitative data were coded and processed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Frequency tables were used to analyze, describe and present the quantitative data, while the qualitative data were transcribed manually and analyzed using thematic analysis. Two research hypotheses were formulated and tested using chi-square inferential statistics. The study found economic downturn to be the major effect of kidnapping in Ideato South LGA, Imo State. Based on the findings of the study, the work recommended that the government should implement programmes aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment in Ideato South, which can diminish the economic incentives for engaging in kidnapping. The study also recommended that NGOs should advocate for stricter penalties for kidnappers, including life imprisonment or the death penalty for repeat offenders. This could serve as a deterrent against kidnapping.