An Essay on "The Rise Of Kidnapping In Nigeria"

 

Kidnapping is the act of taking people or depriving them of their freedom either for the purpose of asking for ransom on them or for other criminal reasons.

According to the Nigerian constitution, kidnapping is a punishable offense. It is not right to take laws into ones hands and commit such atrocity against humanity. The trauma people go through when they are kidnapped is not something anybody should experience. What is more worrisome is that kidnapped victims sometimes get killed.

One of the major causes that lead to the rise in kidnapping is unemployment. A lot of Nigerian youths roam the streets because they are unemployed. Why would someone graduate from the University and find it impossible to get a job? In other climates, kidnapping is on the low side because a lot of their citizens are employed. The moment people do not get a job, they become agitated.

In addition, poverty has a crunching effect on Nigerians. Many have resorted to kidnapping because there is money involved. It has become a very lucrative business because of the money that people make from it. A month ago, two hundred and fifty students were in kidnapped from a secondary school. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 250 million naira which was paid to them within 24 hours. Why would people not get involved in kidnapping when a lot of money would be involved.

Also, illiteracy has given rise to kidnapping in the country. Many Nigerians do not know the implications of getting into kidnapping. They throw caution to wind and are blinded by their evil acts. The killings that have become very rampant in Nigeria are as a result of the illiteracy level. The situation is indeed very troubling.

In spite of the rise of kidnapping in Nigeria there is hope for the country. There should be more creation of job opportunities especially for the average Nigerians. A lot of awareness programmes should be done in order to reduce kidnapping in Nigeria. Also, the poverty rate in the country should be looked into seriously by empowering the youths and providing financial assistance to the needy and elderly.

I believe that if the above measures are taken, kidnapping will become a thing of the past.