Commercialisation of Terrorism and Rising Kidnapping-For-Ransom in Nigeria: Security Impacts and Public Policy Imperatives

This study examined the commercialisation of terrorism via kidnapping-for-ransom and its implications for security and public policy in Nigeria. Employing a mixed-methods, descriptive correlational design, the research integrated questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to explore socio-economic drivers, the link between ransom payments and repeated incidents, political will, and long-term security effects. The study population included security experts, community leaders, and residents from Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, and Kwara States. Using purposive and multi-stage sampling, 400 questionnaire respondents and 25 interviewees were selected. Data were collected using validated instruments and analysed quantitatively with means, standard deviations, Pearson correlations, and linear regression, and qualitatively using thematic analysis. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between ransom payments and the recurrence of kidnapping-for-ransom incidents (r = .612, p = .000), with socio-economic factors and ransom payments jointly explaining 47.5% of the variance in community insecurity. Thematic findings identified corruption and weak governance as major enablers. The study concluded that kidnapping-for-ransom creates a self-sustaining cycle, exacerbated by poor governance and socio-economic hardship. It is recommended that government implement a strict no-ransom policy, invest in socio-economic development in affected regions, and enhance community-based intelligence and policing to disrupt this cycle.