Title: Rising Cases of Kidnapping in Nigeria: Implications on Family Institution in Southwest
Authors: Timothy Adewole ADEDIGBA
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: 127-133
Publication Date: 2026/06/28
Abstract:
This study examined the rising cases of kidnapping and the survival of family institutions in South-West Nigeria, with particular reference to Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti States. The increasing incidence of kidnapping has become a serious social problem, threatening the stability, wellbeing, and continuity of family life in the study area. Existing studies have largely focused on the security and economic dimensions of kidnapping, with limited emphasis on its direct implications for family survival and stability, creating a clear gap in literature that this study addressed. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of residents in selected communities across the three states, while a sample of 450 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled "Kidnapping and Family Institution Survival Questionnaire (KFISQ)." The instrument was validated by experts and tested for reliability. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores, while the hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that poverty, unemployment, weak security surveillance, forest hideouts, proliferation of illegal arms, and corruption were major causes of kidnapping, with mean scores ranging from 3.09 to 3.24. It was also found that kidnapping had severe effects on family institutions, including emotional trauma, financial hardship, family disintegration, and educational disruption, with mean scores between 3.20 and 3.35. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation result showed a strong positive relationship (r = 0.78, p < 0.05) between kidnapping activities and family instability. The study concluded that kidnapping significantly threatens the survival and stability of family institutions in South-West Nigeria. It was recommended that government should strengthen security surveillance, improve intelligence gathering, and provide economic opportunities for youths to reduce involvement in kidnapping activities and protect family wellbeing.