Kidnapping in Nigeria: Ethnic, Religious and Regional Dimensions

Kidnapping in Nigeria has received extensive scholarly attention. Yet, its entanglement with identity politics remains underexplored. This paper argues that ethnic, religious, and regional identities shape both the practice and consequences of kidnapping, conceptualized as the ethno-religio-regional dimensions of kidnapping (ERRDK). ERRDK captures how kidnapping is linked to identity groups, mobilised to advance group interests, or used to threaten rivals, provoking counter-responses. These dynamics intensify intergroup competition, heighten conflict, and influence state policy. Drawing on identity-politics literature and Nigerian cases, the paper shows how kidnapping becomes a site of struggle over power, resources, and security.