Afrobarometer R10: Kidnapping and insecurity weigh heavily on Nigerians
- NOIPolls
- May 28
- 3 min read
Updated: May 29
An overwhelming majority of Nigerians say abduction and kidnapping are grave national problems, with many expressing deep concerns about their personal safety and the inability of security agencies to address the crisis, the latest Afrobarometer survey reveals.
Citizens rank crime/insecurity as one of the most important problems they want the government to address. Many report feeling unsafe in their communities and personally knowing someone who has been kidnapped in recent years, and public confidence in the ability of security agencies to respond effectively to these incidents is low.
Citizens identify improved economic opportunities, stronger security forces, and harsher penalties as the top solutions to the abduction/kidnapping crisis.
Key findings
Crime/insecurity ranks second among the most important problems that Nigerians want their government to address (Figure 1).
The share of citizens who say they or a family member felt unsafe walking in their neighbourhood at least once during the previous year almost doubled between 2017 and 2022, from 33% to 61% (Figure 2).
In response to a similar question in the 2024 survey, 63% of respondents say they or a family member felt unsafe at home or in their neighborhood at least once during the past year.
Eight out of 10 Nigerians (79%) say abduction/kidnapping is a serious problem in the country, including nearly half (48%) who say the problem is “very serious” (Figure 3).
One-third (33%) of respondents say they personally know someone who has been abducted or kidnapped in the past five years (Figure 4).
About two-thirds (68%) of citizens say security agencies are handling the abduction/kidnapping of Nigerians “fairly badly” or “very badly” (Figure 5).
Asked what they think is the most important solution to the problem of abductions and kidnappings, respondents most frequently cite increasing economic opportunities for all citizens (31%), enhancing the capacity of the country’s security agencies (26%), and imposing stiffer punishments, ranging up to the death penalty, for perpetrators (22%) (Figure 6).
Afrobarometer surveys
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Nine survey rounds in up to 42 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 10 surveys were launched in January 2024. Afrobarometer’s national partners conduct face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice.
The Afrobarometer team in Nigeria, led by NOIPolls, interviewed a nationally representative, random, stratified probability sample of 1,600 adult Nigerians between 19 June and 17 July 2024. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Previous standard surveys were conducted in Nigeria in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2022.
Charts
Figure 1: Most important problems | Nigeria | 2024
Respondents were asked: In your opinion, what are the most important problems facing this country that government should address? (Up to three responses per person; figure shows % of respondents who cite each problem as one of their top three priorities.)
Figure 2: Felt unsafe walking in the neighborhood | Nigeria | 2015-2022
Respondents were asked: Over the past year, how often, if ever, have you or anyone in your family felt unsafe walking in your neighborhood? (% who say “just once or twice,” “several times,” “many times,” or “always”)
Figure 3: How serious a problem are abductions and kidnappings? | Nigeria | 2024
Respondents were asked: In your opinion, how serious a problem are the abductions or kidnapping of citizens in our country today?
Figure 4: Personal knowledge of abduction/kidnapping victim | Nigeria | 2024
Respondents were asked: Do you personally know anyone who has been abducted or kidnapped in the past five years?
Figure 5: Assessment of security agencies' handling of kidnappings | Nigeria | 2024
Respondents were asked: How well or badly would you say the security agencies are handling the kidnapping or abductions of Nigerian citizens?
Figure 6: Most important solution to the problem of kidnapping | Nigeria | 2024
Respondents were asked: Which of the following would you say is the most important way to solve the problem of kidnapping and abductions in Nigeria today?
For more information, please contact:
NOIPolls
Raphael Mbaegbu
Telephone: +234 63292096
Email: rmbaegbu@noi-polls.com
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