Kidnapping in The Capital

Kidnapping is one of the most predominant conflict types in Nigeria. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has not been immune to the trend of kidnapping across the country despite being the seat of government. Protests over the kidnap surge in 2022 put into perspective how the issue has worsened and continued to date. Generally, kidnapping cases in Nigeria have been indiscriminate, with victims including politicians, security agents, the affluent, school students, motorists, farmers, members of faith-based organisations (FBOs) and aid workers. In FCT Abuja, the Kuje Area Council is notorious for kidnapping.

Data from the Nextier Violent Conflict Database also reveal that kidnap in the capital is rising, with two recorded incidents in May 2023 and three incidents in June 2023. In the latest incident on July 16th 2023, two people were kidnapped in the Mpape area. From January 2021 till June 30th, 2023, 40 kidnapping cases have been recorded in FCT Abuja with 236 victims. In a report, the economic losses to kidnapping have been put at ₦653.7 million from verified ransom payments between 2021 and 2022.

Despite efforts at curtailing the travails of insecurity, the kidnap menace still lingers. In 2022, Nigeria’s president signed the legislation mandating at least 15 years in prison for anyone who pays a ransom to liberate a kidnapped person. The law also made abducting an individual punishable by death in cases where the victims die. Even as the new administration works to improve Nigeria’s security situation, the effectiveness of this law is yet to be determined.

Reports reveal that the intervention of the Navy Special Forces in Kuje made some difference in reducing kidnap incidents. Commendation can be given to the swift response and rescue of the two kidnap victims in the Mpape community incident, but more needs to be done to address these incidents. However, recent trends indicate kidnapping incidents have increased in frequency. This can be seen from a comparison of the first six months in 2022 which recorded 48 victims from 9 incidents, while 2023 recorded 89 kidnap victims from 11 incidents between January 1st and June 30th.

In addressing acts of kidnapping, the Nigerian government should equip security organizations in responding better to kidnap cases. Also, security organizations should improve collaboration opportunities with local communities to gather reliable and actionable intelligence for their operations. The “Rescue Me App” of the Nigerian police should be regularly optimised to function effectively, and adequate awareness for public use should follow. There is also a need to enforce strict punishment for kidnappers, which would serve as a deterrent to others who might consider indulging in such an act. The Nigerian government should strengthen law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to kidnappings. This can be accomplished by increasing police patrols and border controls and establishing security checkpoints. To an extent, kidnapping for ransom points to unaddressed socioeconomic problems. Focusing on addressing the socioeconomic issues would be a step in the right direction in reducing kidnapping incidents.

Recommended Reading

• Stopping Kidnapping
• Curbing Kidnap Violence
• Kidnapping Boom and Gloom
• The Kidnapping Déjà vu