Title: Media Framing Of Kidnapping Incidents And Public Trust In Security Agencies: Perception Of Residents Of Oyo State
Authors: Thomas-Kuye Olufunmilayo, Adedayo, Odetoyinbo, Clement Ayodeji
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Pages: 307-315
Publication Date: 2026/09/28
Abstract:
This study investigates media framing of kidnapping incidents and public trust in security agencies: perception of residents of Oyo State. The study seeks to examine the extent to which residents of Oyo State are exposed to media reports on kidnapping incidents, assess the level of public trust in security agencies among residents in relation to their handling of kidnapping incidents and the relationship between media framing of kidnapping incidents and public trust in security agencies in Oyo State. The population of the study population comprises of residents of Orire Local Government in Ogbomoso axis, Oyo State. The study adopted a survey research design, and a sample of 150 respondents was selected for the study using Taro Yamane, a sample-size determination method, while the Media Framing Theory was adopted. The study used a research questionnaire for data collection and a purposive sampling method was used as sampling method. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Findings of the study revealed that media reports on kidnapping incidents are frequently available to residents of Oyo State, media outlets regularly provide updates on kidnapping incidents, media coverage of kidnapping incidents is available across different media platforms, and information about kidnapping incidents is regularly circulated through both traditional and digital media. The results also showed that residents lose confidence in the ability of security agencies to protect the public from kidnapping because of weak law enforcement and the level of trust and confidence in security agencies to handle investigations into kidnapping cases is waning due to recurrent and frequent kidnapping cases. The study recommended implementing public awareness programs that educate people on how to stay safe, build collaboration with law enforcement, and create trust between people and the police force.