ABSTRACT
Even though kidnapping, cattle rustling, and armed banditry are not new in Nigeria, and even globally, they have assumed a worrisome dimension, leaving people in perpetual fear of not knowing who can be the next victim. Kidnappings and abductions, previously predominant in the southern and eastern parts of the country, have emerged as a national epidemic. The reality is that actors involved in kidnapping have broadened to include least suspected persons such as family members, friends, neighbours, the religious, traditional rulers, and even members of security forces in pursuit of quick wealth. Kidnapping has put everyone, rich or poor, young or old, foreigners or non-foreigners, male or female, at a constant risk of either being a primary, secondary, or vicarious victim of kidnapping. This chapter, which examines kidnapping for ransom (KFR), cattle rustling, and armed banditry in Nigeria, argues that these criminal activities are fast becoming profitable business ventures in the country, thus attracting more actors. The chapter is divided into various sections, including introduction; conceptual clarifications; KFR, cattle rustling, armed banditry and state failure debate; causes and drivers of KFR, cattle rustling, and armed banditry; historical trajectory and dynamics of KFR, cattle rustling, and armed banditry; effects of KFR, cattle rustling, and armed banditry in Nigeria; state responses and strategies for curbing KFR, cattle rustling, and armed banditry; and conclusion.
