International Journal of Academic Health and Medical Research (IJAHMR)   Year: 2022 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 8 | Page No.: 17-24 Determinants of Kidnapping for Ritual among Youths in South-Western State, Nigeria Download PDF Yusuf Adam Oyetunji Abstract: Kidnapping for ritual death has reached pandemic proportions, and the scope of the problem is far broader than it appears. Despite countless studies on kidnapping for ritual slaughter, this problem persists. It is important to explore the factors that lead to ritual kidnapping among youths in Nigeria's south-western state. A descriptive survey research approach was used in this study. Stratified sampling was used to identify 300 individuals from Nigeria's south-western region. The participants' ages varied from 21 to 45 years, with a mean of 12.88 years (SD= 8.46). Three research questions were tested using multiple regression analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings revealed a significant positive relationships between environmental factors (r = .331, p <.05) and helplessness (r = .259, p <.05). The three variables jointly accounted for 70.1% variance in the prediction of kidnapping for ritual killing among the participants. The independent variables made positive relative contribution to kidnapping for ritual killing in the following order: Environmental factors contributed most to the prediction of kidnapping for ritual killing among youths in south-western state, Nigeria (? = .239, t = 4.338; p <.05), followed by Helplessness (? = .136, t = 2.319; p <.05). Based on this conclusion, it is suggested that capacity building and awareness campaigns be established in order to reduce kidnapping for ritual slaughter. The government should give social amenities, generate jobs, and teach young people about creativity and invention, among other programs that can increase people's economic capacity and substantially reduce kidnapping for ritual slaughter.