Boko Haram and Kidnapping in Nigeria

The menace of kidnapping in Nigeria remains a disturbing phenomenon that threatens national security of the country. However, series of kidnappings of unarmed Nigerians have been adopted as tactics by the deadly Boko Haram terrorist group. This makes it imperative in this study to explore Boko Haram and kidnapping in Nigeria. With the adoption of failed state theory, it is inferred that the trend of kidnapping perpetrated by Boko Haram, Bandits and other unscrupulous elements places the country’s security architecture on a verge of collapse and which invariably justifies the inability of the state to provide adequate security for the people. The study relies on secondary data. The findings of the study reveal kidnapping as a viable tactics adopted by the terrorist group to gain international attention. More so, it is an avenue to raise resources through payment of ransom by the families and concerned individuals and groups related or associated with the victims. This further showcases the government weaknesses to curb the proliferation of armed terrorist group in the country and by and large triggers trust deficit from the populace to the authority. The chapter suggests that despite aggressive military presence in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the country, there is a need to intensify efforts to boost information and intelligence gathering mechanism. Similarly, government must ensure improvement of welfare services to the populace as a way of reducing prospective members of all forms of criminalities. Government reactiveness on security affairs cannot enhance a safer Nigeria. There is need for all tiers of government to be proactive in ensuring security of lives and properties.