{"id":9459,"date":"2021-12-01T12:00:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T06:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/?p=9459"},"modified":"2022-06-08T20:59:41","modified_gmt":"2022-06-08T15:29:41","slug":"the-surging-business-of-kidnapping-in-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ticketfairy.com\/word\/2021\/12\/01\/the-surging-business-of-kidnapping-in-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"The Surging Business of Kidnapping in Nigeria"},"content":{"rendered":"

In September 2021, 73 students were\u00a0<\/span>abducted<\/span><\/a>\u00a0amidst a school attack in the northwestern region of Nigeria. These abductions are far from being a rare occurrence in Nigeria, where random kidnapping for ransom has been surging since the Boko Haram insurgency in 2014.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over 1000 students have been kidnapped in northern Nigeria alone since December 2020, not including the latest case in September and other abducted citizens of the state. The frequency of cases rose astronomically in the last couple of decades, so much so that kidnapping has become one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing markets. Rising unemployment, poor security, failed leadership, and the crumbling economy has made kidnapping an easy money-making and viable career for the people of Nigeria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boko Haram – The Beginning<\/span><\/h2>\n

Boko Haram (Boko meaning ‘western education’ and Haram meaning ‘sin’ or ‘forbidden’) is a radical Islamist group hailing from Nigeria. Their Arabic name ‘Jama\u2019atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda\u2019awati Wal-Jihad’, translates to \u201cPeople Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet\u2019s Teachings and Jihad.\u201d In 2014, militants of Boko Haram\u00a0<\/span>kidnapped<\/span><\/a>\u00a0276 girls from a government secondary boarding school in Borno state’s Chibok.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They were mainly abducted for recruitment purposes and indoctrination. “You’re only coming to school for prostitution. Boko [Western education] is haram [forbidden]so what are you doing in school?”\u00a0<\/span>said<\/span><\/a>\u00a0a militant, according to one of the escaped girls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, few escaped from the confinement, while most were released after the militants acquired their ransom. The remaining girls are unaccounted for with no trace left behind, some deceased in captivity owing to a myriad of reasons. The abduction had a global repercussion, with the #BringBackOurGirls campaign spreading like wildfire on social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This was a starting point of mass kidnappings in Nigeria. The situation has only escalated further since then at an alarming rate with no sign of stoppage.<\/span><\/p>\n

How did kidnapping become a business?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cKidnapping is becoming more democratised. More people are participating in it in more places. There is a spike in the frequency, the number of kidnapped people and the ransom paid,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>said<\/span><\/a>\u00a0the Head of Research of SB Morgen Intelligence, Ikemesit Effiong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boko Haram was paid a hefty sum of USD 3 million (INR 22,50,30,000) as ransom to release some hostages as part of a deal in 2013,\u00a0<\/span>according<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to Nigerian government reports. In 2018, a splinter group of Boko Haram was also paid heavily to free 110 girls kidnapped by them\u00a0<\/span>as<\/span><\/a>\u00a0per a UN report. These instances of receiving ransom led to the creation of more abduction groups locally called ‘bandits’, giving rise to several mass kidnappings and violence. In the crippling economy of Nigeria, kidnap-for-ransom became the easily attainable and financially rewarding sector. Thus, making it “the most lucrative industry in Nigeria today,” according<\/a> to the analyst, Bulama Bukart.<\/span><\/p>\n