Security Threats Associated with Kidnapping and Implications in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Introduction

Kidnapping is not a new phenomenon. According to Oliver, Colin, and Damon (2016), modern kidnapping first gained attention in 1874 when a four-year-old boy, Charlie Ross, was abducted in Philadelphia and a ransom of $20,000 was demanded. High-profile crimes such as piracy, human trafficking, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, and kidnapping are often orchestrated through transnational criminal syndicates (Okoli & Orinya, 2013). Globally, kidnapping has become a well-organized crime that negatively impacts national and international security due to its increasing sophistication and consolidation (Okoli & Agada, 2014). Kidnapping involves the unlawful seizure, detention, or transportation of individuals through force or fraud usually with the intent to demand ransom (Ezemenaka, 2018). For an act to qualify as kidnapping, it must include the forced movement and confinement of a victim, regardless of their age. The ransom demanded typically varies based on the victim’s social or financial status (Ishaya, James, & Ezekiel, 2019).

Kidnapping is a dynamic and evolving crime, both in scope and geographical reach (Briggs, 2017). Constellis, a global security company, reported that even countries with robust economies and stable governments are experiencing high rates of kidnapping (Ishaya et al., 2019). This affirms that kidnapping has become a global issue (Briggs, 2017). Latin American countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela have seen spikes in kidnapping, often due to political instability and economic crises (Hostage US, 2020). The World Population Review (2023) lists Turkey as the country with the highest kidnapping rate, with 42.669 incidents per 100,000 people. Many perpetrators view kidnapping as less risky and more profitable than other organized crimes (Ishaya et al., 2019).

In contrast, countries like South Korea and Japan have very low kidnapping rates, often attributed to effective law enforcement practices (Briggs, 2017). These include rigorous professional training, strong cooperation among law enforcement officers, efficient judicial systems, strict gun control laws, and strong public-police relations (Yun, 2017; Briggs, 2017). In Nigeria, kidnapping has taken a disturbing turn. According to Jamiu (2019), it initially gained prominence in the Niger Delta, where militants abducted expatriate oil workers to attract national and international attention to perceived injustices and environmental degradation caused by oil exploration (Nyam, 2020). Over time, the crime has evolved into a lucrative enterprise for kidnappers, raising questions about whether such abductions are rooted in socio-political grievances or driven purely by criminal motives (Jamiu, 2019).

Ibrahim, Ojoba, and Mohammed (2020), in their study of kidnapping incidents in Kaduna State (2015–2018), identified factors such as unemployment, leadership failure, poverty, a weakened security system, and erosion of societal values as major contributors. Similarly, Akanu and Adedeji (2021), in their work on kidnapping in Nigeria's South-East and South-South regions, emphasized the role of financial motivation and youth unemployment.

Despite being the seat of government and presumed to have a stronger security presence, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has not been spared from the wave of kidnappings. Reports by Are (2021) revealed incidents involving 27 victims, including seven children. More alarmingly, Eromosele (2023) documented that about 70 people were killed and 194 abducted in the FCT in 2022 alone. This rising trend in Abuja makes it necessary to investigate the security threats and security implication of kidnapping in the area. As previous studies (Ibrahim et al., 2020; Akanu & Adedeji, 2021) have examined the causes and strategies for combating kidnapping in other regions, they do not address the specific patterns, frequency, and security impacts of kidnapping in Abuja. On this note: this study will objectively examine the security threats and implications associated with kidnapping in Abuja.

Conceptual Reviews

Security Threats: Security threats refer to any activities, actions, or conditions that have the potential to undermine the safety and stability of individuals, communities, or the state. These threats can be internal or external and may range from terrorism, armed robbery, and insurgency to more localized forms of violence such as kidnapping and banditry (Ogunrotifa, 2020). In the context of Nigeria, and particularly in Abuja the seat of political power security threats are critical because they can destabilize national governance, disrupt economic activities, and weaken public confidence in law enforcement agencies. The growing rate of abductions in Abuja has become a key indicator of insecurity, pointing to the inability of security institutions to respond effectively to emerging criminal trends (Adebayo & Ishola, 2022). This study investigates kidnapping as a pressing security threat in the Federal Capital Territory, exploring how it disrupts the peace and safety of residents.

Kidnapping: Kidnapping is the unlawful act of seizing, detaining, or carrying away an individual by force or fraud, often with the intention of demanding ransom or influencing political or social outcomes (Ezemenaka, 2018). It is increasingly recognized as a widespread and organized crime that has evolved from isolated incidents to a strategic criminal enterprise, particularly in countries with weak security infrastructure (Ameh, Daniel & Amechi, 2023). In Nigeria, kidnapping has become both a means of political agitation and a profit-driven crime, especially among unemployed youth and organized gangs (Ibrahim, Ojoba, & Mohammed, 2020). In the Federal Capital Territory, kidnapping cases have escalated despite its presumed security advantage, revealing vulnerabilities in surveillance systems and emergency response mechanisms. This highlights the need to understand kidnapping not just as a crime but as a strategic threat to Abuja’s security.

Implications of Kidnapping: The implications of kidnapping are multifaceted, affecting the economy, governance, and psychological well-being of individuals and communities. It erodes public trust in the government and security institutions, limits freedom of movement, and discourages investment and tourism (Akanu & Adedeji, 2021). Victims and their families often suffer long-term trauma, while the broader society lives in constant fear, especially when kidnappings occur in urban areas like Abuja. The study of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory aims to examine these implications in depth, identifying how they affect residents' sense of security and the functionality of public institutions. Understanding these impacts is essential for developing effective countermeasures and policy responses that address the root causes and consequences of kidnapping in Abuja.

Theoretical Framework (Subculture Theory of Crime)

In understanding the rising incidents of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Cohen’s Subculture Theory of Crime offers a critical lens through which this security threat can be analyzed. Cohen argues that delinquent behaviour especially among youths emerges from the formation of subcultures that hold values and norms divergent from mainstream society. In the context of Abuja, many young individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, especially those in the outskirts of the city and satellite towns, may find themselves alienated by the structural inequalities that limit their access to education, employment, and social mobility. This marginalization leads to frustration and low self-worth, which in turn drive these individuals to seek alternative status and recognition through subcultural affiliation often in groups that endorse criminality such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and extortion.

These delinquent subcultures provide their members with a sense of identity, belonging, and power elements they are often denied by the larger society. Within these subcultures, acts like kidnapping are not just survival strategies but symbolic acts of rebellion against a system perceived as unjust. Cohen identifies characteristics such as non-utilitarianism, malicious intent, and negativism within these groups’ traits that resonate with the reality of kidnapping in Abuja, where victims are sometimes targeted not only for financial gain but also as a form of social protest or retaliation. These behaviours may appear irrational or cruel to the broader society, but within the subcultural context, they serve to assert dominance, gain respect, and reinforce loyalty among members. The hostility shown toward outsiders, including security forces and government representatives, can also be interpreted as a defense mechanism that solidifies the group’s internal cohesion and resistance to external authority.

The implication of this subcultural framework is significant for understanding and addressing the security threats posed by kidnapping in Abuja. It highlights that the issue goes beyond criminal intent; it is rooted in socio-economic dislocation, perceived inequality, and the failure of state institutions to integrate all segments of society. Thus, while security responses remain essential, addressing the root causes such as poverty, youth unemployment, and urban exclusion through inclusive policies and social reintegration programs becomes equally important. Subculture theory ultimately suggests that as long as structural inequalities persist, alternative status systems that legitimize criminal acts like kidnapping will continue to thrive, posing ongoing threats to public safety and undermining efforts at sustainable development and national security in the FCT.

Methodology

This study employed a comprehensive methodological framework to ensure valid and reliable findings. The methodology encompassed research design, study area description, target population, sampling procedures, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. A survey research design was adopted to capture opinions, behaviors, and perceptions using questionnaires and interviews. This approach combined both quantitative and qualitative methods, enabling an in-depth understanding of the crime of kidnapping in Abuja, including its patterns, causes, and security implications. The natural setting of the study allowed for data collection without manipulation, providing authentic insights into the issue.

The study was conducted in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, covering six Area Councils: Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. The target population included adult residents (18+), police officers, and community leaders, selected for their knowledge and experience with the subject matter. A purposive sample size of 400 respondents was determined, and convenience methods was used to select participants across political wards and communities. Primary data collection instruments included a structured questionnaire for residents and an in-depth interview (IDI) guide for key informants. The questionnaire used a Likert scale format and to discover the threats, and implications of kidnapping in FCT, Abuja.

For qualitative data, interviews were conducted: 7 with police officers (including Divisional Police Officers and the FCT Police PRO) and 6 with community leaders. The interviews were guided by probe questions aligned with the study's objectives and were held in participants’ communities and offices. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative responses were transcribed and analyzed thematically through content analysis, using direct quotes to support emerging themes. Both datasets were integrated and discussed to provide a comprehensive view of the issue.

Data Analysis

Source: Field survey, 2025

A significant security threats associated with kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The findings offer a comprehensive overview of public perceptions about the multifaceted implications of kidnapping in the region. The analysis reveals that a majority of respondents (59.3%) strongly agreed, and 36.8% agreed that kidnapping is linked to terrorism, while only 2.5% were undecided, 1.4% disagreed, and none strongly disagreed. This suggests a dominant perception that kidnapping and terrorism are interrelated, particularly given the involvement of organized criminal groups and insurgents in abductions for ransom, ideological leverage, or destabilization of state security. This aligns with reports by security agencies and scholarly findings that terrorist factions, such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, often resort to kidnapping to fund their operations and recruit combatants.

Conversely, the table shows that 29.9% strongly disagreed and 24.5% disagreed with the assertion that kidnapping is associated with money laundering. Only 20.6% agreed and 20.1% strongly agreed, with 4.9% undecided. This implies a limited perceived correlation between kidnapping and money laundering among respondents. While some criminal proceeds from ransom may be laundered, this connection is not as overt or widely recognized compared to other crimes like terrorism or drug trafficking.

Proportion of respondents (49.2% strongly agreed and 43.7% agreed) indicated that kidnapping aids banditry, while 5.3% were undecided and 1.9% disagreed. This overwhelmingly supports the argument that bandit groups in and around Abuja use kidnapping both as a tactic and a funding mechanism. Numerous media reports and security analyses in Nigeria have documented a rise in rural and urban banditry closely tied to abductions-for-ransom, particularly along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor.

Regarding the link to human trafficking, 38.8% of respondents strongly agreed and 20.3% agreed, while 18.7% strongly disagreed, 17.3% disagreed, and 10.1% were undecided. This suggests that while a considerable number of respondents acknowledge a link between kidnapping and human trafficking especially in cases where abducted victims, particularly women and children, are sold into forced labor or sexual exploitation there remains some uncertainty or conflicting opinions.

Further, 49.7% of respondents strongly agreed and 40.1% agreed that kidnapping influences hard drug offences, while 5.2% were undecided, and 4.9% disagreed. This suggests a strong perception of a connection between drug-related crimes and kidnapping, either through the use of hard drugs by perpetrators to carry out violent acts or the financing of drug purchases through ransom payments. Drugs are often used to sedate or control victims, or to embolden perpetrators during operations.

In relation to sexual abuse and rape, 48.4% strongly agreed and 28.6% agreed that these are security threats linked to kidnapping. About 7.7% of respondents strongly disagreed, 7.7% disagreed, and another 7.7% were undecided. This data implies a widely held concern that women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence during captivity, highlighting a gendered dimension of the insecurity caused by kidnapping in the FCT.

Lastly, possession of illegal small arms and light weapons was identified as a related crime, with 51.1% of respondents strongly agreeing and 39% agreeing. Only 5.2% disagreed, 2.5% were undecided, and 2.2% strongly disagreed. This highlights the fact that kidnapping operations often involve the use of firearms to threaten, intimidate, and subdue victims, which in turn contributes to the proliferation of illegal weapons and deepens insecurity.

Discussion of Findings

A significant proportion of respondents (59.3% strongly agreed and 36.8% agreed) affirmed that kidnapping is linked to terrorism. This perception reflects the growing trend of collaboration between insurgent groups and kidnapping syndicates. As noted by Okoli and Nnorom (2021), terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have increasingly turned to kidnapping as a tactic for both financing and strategic leverage. This link was also confirmed in an interview with a senior police officer at the Gwagwalada Divisional Headquarters, who stated:

“We have reasons to believe that many of these kidnappings are coordinated by cells of insurgents operating under different identities. They kidnap not only for money but also to create fear and test government response.” (Interview, Police Officer, April 2025)

This viewpoint was corroborated by a community head in Kuje Area Council who said:

“When we hear about kidnapping in our villages, it's not just criminals it’s militants pretending to be bandits. We have seen weapons and tactics that ordinary thieves cannot afford.” (Interview, Community Leader, March 2025)

In contrast, fewer respondents believed there was a direct link between kidnapping and money laundering. Only 20.1% strongly agreed and 20.6% agreed, while 54.4% disagreed or strongly disagreed. This aligns with scholarly insights from Adebayo (2020), who argues that while ransom proceeds are often laundered, the public is generally unaware of this connection because it is less visible compared to more dramatic criminal outcomes like terrorist attacks or bandit raids.

A notable 92.9% of respondents (49.2% strongly agreed and 43.7% agreed) believed that kidnapping fuels banditry. This supports the prevailing argument in Nigerian security literature that bandits increasingly rely on kidnappings for ransom to fund their logistics, arms acquisition, and operations (Chukwuma & Aghedo, 2022). A police officer stationed along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway confirmed:

“Most of the armed groups we arrest during patrols admit they were part of a kidnapping gang. They share money and buy more guns, and the cycle continues. (Interview, Police Officer, April 2025)

This also reflects widespread public concern over the rising cases of bandit attacks in rural communities, particularly along major transit routes. Regarding the connection between kidnapping and human trafficking, findings showed mixed responses. While 59.1% agreed or strongly agreed, a significant minority (36%) disagreed or strongly disagreed. This disparity may reflect varying levels of awareness. However, human rights organizations and security studies, including that by Eze (2019), indicate that kidnapped victims especially women and children are often sold into sexual slavery or forced labor. A female community head from Bwari Area Council lamented:

“Several young girls kidnapped two years ago have not returned. Some say they were seen in far-off states being used as housemaids or even married off forcefully.” (Interview, Community Leader, March 2025)

Similarly, 89.8% of respondents (49.7% strongly agreed and 40.1% agreed) believed that kidnapping is associated with hard drug offences. This connection is consistent with studies such as that by Yusuf and Bello (2021), which describe the use of drugs by criminal groups both to sedate victims and embolden abductors during operations. A narcotics officer in the FCT noted:

“In nearly every hideout we have discovered, there are remnants of hard drugs. Kidnappers either use them to control victims or consume them to suppress fear and aggression.” (Interview, Police Officer, April 2025)

The association between kidnapping and sexual violence also drew significant support, with 77% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that rape and sexual abuse are common during abductions. This echoes the findings of Adeyemi and Abimbola (2023), who highlight how female victims of kidnapping are disproportionately subjected to rape and other gender-based abuses. A police officer from the Gender Desk Unit emphasized:

“Many of our female victims, even when rescued, come back traumatized. The sexual violence they suffer is unspeakable and deeply damaging.”(Interview, Police Officer, March 2025)

The majority of respondents (90.1%) identified possession and use of illegal small arms and light weapons as closely linked to kidnapping. This is consistent with reports by the Small Arms Survey (2020), which show that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of illicit firearm circulation in West Africa, a trend that facilitates violent crimes including kidnapping. A community head in Kwali Area Council recounted:

“You cannot challenge these people; they come with AK-47s and even rocket launchers. It’s beyond local crime its warfare. (Interview, Community Leader, April 2025)

Summary and Conclusion

The findings from the interviews with police officers and community leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, highlight the deep and interconnected security implications of kidnapping in the region. Kidnapping is widely perceived not just as an isolated crime, but as a strategic tool employed by terrorist and insurgent groups to instill fear, destabilize communities, and fund their operations. The use of sophisticated weapons and organized tactics has led both law enforcement and local residents to believe that these abductions are part of broader militant activities. This link between kidnapping and terrorism has intensified public fear and diminished confidence in the state’s ability to provide adequate security, especially in rural communities and around major transport corridors.

Another significant implication of kidnapping is its role in fueling other criminal activities. Banditry, in particular, thrives on proceeds from abductions, with armed groups using ransom money to procure more weapons and sustain violent campaigns. Respondents also linked kidnapping to drug-related offences and the proliferation of illegal firearms, with many hideouts discovered by security agencies showing evidence of narcotics use. The reliance on drugs and arms by kidnappers heightens the level of violence and impunity during operations, endangering both victims and residents of affected communities. Additionally, the involvement of women and children in kidnapping scenarios has exposed them to sexual abuse and human trafficking, further complicating the humanitarian and psychological toll of this crime.

The testimonies of police officers and local leaders bring to light the broader social consequences of kidnapping beyond immediate security concerns. The trauma experienced by victims particularly female victims subjected to sexual violence continues to reverberate through families and communities. The persistent circulation of small arms not only facilitates continued kidnapping but also fuels a cycle of violence that threatens long-term peace and development in the FCT. Ultimately, these findings emphasize that kidnapping is not merely a criminal issue but a multidimensional security threat with grave implications for public safety, social cohesion, and national stability.

Recommendations

1. Police officers in the FCT should be equipped with advanced training and resources to effectively combat kidnapping and its associated crimes. Enhanced intelligence operations are crucial to infiltrate and dismantle kidnapping syndicates, especially those linked to terrorist groups.

2. The public should be encouraged to actively participate in neighborhood watch programs and report suspicious activities promptly to law enforcement agencies. Community leaders and local residents should serve as valuable partners in gathering intelligence and raising awareness about kidnapping risks.

3. The government should prioritize the development and implementation of coordinated security strategies that address kidnapping alongside related issues such as terrorism, banditry, and human trafficking. This includes adequate funding for security agencies, cross-agency task forces, and social programs aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and youth unemployment, which often fuel criminal activities.

4. Stronger legal frameworks should be established to impose harsher penalties on kidnappers and their collaborators, including those involved in trafficking, drug offenses, and illegal arms possession.

5. Swift prosecution and conviction of offenders will serve as a deterrent in addition with strict measures to curtail the circulation of illegal small arms and hard drugs within the FCT and surrounding areas. Security agencies should collaborate with customs, border control, and drug enforcement units to prevent arms smuggling and narcotics distribution.