PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF KIDNAPPING IN DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE

Kidnapping of all manner of persons has gained ascendency among communities in Nigeria and has instilled fear which has affected communal living and functionality. More so, the police who are mandated to provide security for the people are often unprepared for the task at hand. This has made the populace to lose confidence in criminal justice systems and other law enforcement agents’ ability to secure their lives and properties. Based on the above, this study examined the public perception of kidnapping in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the prevalence of kidnapping; an evaluation of the public perception on the causes of kidnapping; an examination on the effects of kidnapping on socio-political and economic activities and then bringing to light the strategies for mitigating the prevalence of kidnapping in Dekina Local Government Area. The study used cross sectional survey research design and was anchored on structural strain theoretical framework. Multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to randomly select participants from the sample size of 511 in their respective communities. The study found that there was a high prevalence of kidnapping in the study area arising from the causative factors such as attractive ransom payment, non-cooperation with the police, insufficient model with strong moral standard, and too much emphasis on material gains, poverty, greed and unemployment among others. Arising from the findings, it was recommended among others that religious organisations and parents should strongly inculcate morals in their children as people perceived to be involved in kidnapping are affiliates of varying religion; It also recommended that government should engage unemployed youth in jobs and empowerment programmes.