TRENDS, CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF KIDNAPPING IN OVOM AMA-ASAA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA, 2010-2016

Abstract

Kidnapping is a major security threat, generating concern in urban and rural areas in Nigeria. Previous research focused on kidnapping in the context of petro-economy and militancy, with more emphasis on incidents in urban areas than rural communities. Therefore, this study examined the trends, causes, patterns and consequences of kidnapping in Ovom Ama-asaa, Abia State, Nigeria. Brantingham and Brantingham’s Crime Pattern, Cohen and Felson’s Routine Activity, and Hirschi’s Social Control provided the framework. The case study and the exploratory designs were adopted. Primary and secondary sources of data were utilised. The primary data comprised ethnography, three focus group discussion sessions with elders, women and youths, 20 in-depth interviews conducted with 14 elders, a woman leader, four clergymen, and one officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Also, 10 key informant interviews were held with seven chiefs, a king and two repentant kidnappers. The secondary data were sourced from relevant publications. Data were subjected to content and trend analyses. There was an increase in the incidence of kidnapping between 2010 and 2012, while the incidents decreased between 2013 and 2016, owing to foot patrols by vigilantes. The collapse of traditional values, inadequate investment in youth-centred human development, neglect of human security, gaps in functional leadership and weak social control accounted for the incidents of kidnapping. Kidnapping was not focused on highly attractive targets alone but the preventive ransom was also collected from elders, businessmen and prominent community members who were outspoken against the act of kidnapping. People were kidnapped at homes, farms, shops, churches, during ceremonies and isolated places. The kidnappers tortured those in captivity and still received ransoms after the unlucky victims lost their lives. Many people hid in nearby bushes around their homes, while some preferred to leave the community to reduce the risk of being kidnapped. Kidnapping contributed to the loss of monetary value, sources of livelihood and property to the extent that farmers became afraid of going to their farms. The measures for controlling kidnapping were both village-based and community-focused. Weekly palace council community security review was strategic in reducing kidnapping. The community-driven security strategy, an initiative by the palace council aimed at discussing community safety matters after receiving reports from stakeholders, and sustained by traditional security providers had reduced the occurrence of kidnapping. Kidnapping in Ovom Ama-asaa, Abia State, Nigeria, from 2010-2016 had poor social control measures that motivated the act and undermined human development. Stakeholders should implement regularly non-formal peace education to change the mindset of the people away from kidnapping acts in the community.