Afrobarometer R10: Abductions or kidnapping a serious problem in Nigeria.
- NOIPolls
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Nigerians consider crime and insecurity as the second-most important concern the government needs to address. the latest Afrobarometer survey shows. A vast majority say abduction is a serious problem in the country, with one-third reporting that they personally know someone who has been abducted in the past five years.
Nearly as many citizens say they personally know someone who has been abducted or kidnapped in the past five years. Majority of citizens believe security agencies have performed poorly in handling the abductions of Nigerians. Notably, only three in ten citizens gave the security agencies a passing mark for their efforts in combating kidnapping. Increasing economic opportunities, enhancing the capacity of security agencies, and imposing stiffer punishment such as death penalty for perpetrators were cited as the best way to solve the problem of kidnapping in Nigeria.
Key findings
Crime and security (31%) is the second-most important problem that Nigerians want the government to address. (Figure 1).
More than six in 10 citizens (63%) say they felt unsafe at home or in their neighbourhood at least once during the year leading up to the survey. (Figure 2).
Eight in 10 respondents (79%) say abduction or kidnapping is a grave problem in the country, including nearly half (48%) who say the problem is “very serious.” (Figure 3).
One-third (33%) 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 abductions of Nigerians “fairly badly” or “very badly.” Only 30% give them a passing mark in the fight against kidnapping. (Figure 5).
Increasing economic opportunities for all citizens (31%) followed by “enhancing the capacity of the security agencies” (26%), imposing stiffer punishment such as death penalty for perpetrators (22%) were cited most important solution to kidnapping. (Figure 6).
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: Respondents were asked: In your opinion, what are the most important problems facing this country that government should address?
Figure 2: Feel unsafe walking in 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?
Figure 3: Views on abductions | 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 | 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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