ANTECEDENTS OF KIDNAPPING INCIDENCE IN NIGERIA: PERCEPTION OF SECURITY PERSONNEL IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Aminu, Hammed Popoola; Adigun, Akeem Ayodeji; Tajudeen, O. Ishola Ph.D; Jimoh Yunusa Abejide & Oyetoke, O. Mattew

Abstract

This study examined antecedents of kidnapping incidents in Nigeria from the viewpoint of security personnel in Kwara State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and purposive technique was used in selecting the 372 respondents for this study. Researcher’s self-designed questionnaire entitled “Antecedents of Kidnapping Questionnaire (AKQ)” was employed to collect data for the study, with 0.74 test re-test reliability co-efficient value. Eventually, 243 responses were valid and analysed using percentage, mean ranking, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics. All hypotheses were tested at .05 alpha level. The findings revealed that, the topmost antecedents of kidnapping incidence in Nigeria as perceived by security personnel in Kwara State are inequality distribution of common wealth, high prevalence of poverty and political apathy of the politicians to the basic needs of citizens. It was also found that a significant difference exists in the perception of the respondents on the antecedents of kidnapping based on gender; while no significant difference was found based on educational level. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that, government should ensure equal distribution of the wealth among the citizens and provide for the basic needs of the people; thereby, eradicating kidnapping incidence in the nation.