1.1 Introduction
Kidnapping is adjudged to be unlawful detention of persons through the instrument of force, threat, fraud or enticement for different political and socio-economic reasons. It has become one of the major security threats to Nigeria as a sovereign entity. Kidnapping has become a pervasive and critical security issue in Nigeria, profoundly affecting the socio-economic stability and public safety across the nation. As this menace escalates, the role of media in reporting and shaping public perception of kidnapping incidents becomes increasingly significant. Newspapers, in particular, play a crucial role in disseminating information, raising awareness, and influencing public opinion and policy responses.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Kidnapping has become an endemic security issue in Nigeria, affecting individuals, families, businesses, and the overall socio-economic fabric of the nation. The prevalence of kidnapping incidents has surged over the past two decades, with kidnappers targeting a wide range of victims, including schoolchildren, expatriates, political figures, and ordinary citizens. This alarming trend has garnered significant attention from various stakeholders, including the government, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media.
The roots of the kidnapping crisis in Nigeria can be traced back to socio-political and economic factors, including widespread poverty, unemployment, and political instability. The Niger Delta region initially witnessed a surge in kidnapping activities linked to militant groups protesting against the exploitation of the region's oil resources and environmental degradation. Over time, kidnapping evolved into a lucrative criminal enterprise, spreading to other parts of the country and involving various criminal gangs and syndicates (Okoli & Agada, 2014).
Kidnapping is a global phenomenon which has been of great challenge to every government of affected countries. Some areas of concern to most government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are the relationship of kidnapping to the issue of human trafficking and prostitution. In recent times, the crime of kidnapping has been linked to political intents where victims are kidnapped to push forward a political statement. It has also been related to the issue of terrorism which has threatened global security (Osaghae, 2007: 19-22).
The recent kidnapping wave in Nigeria started on 25th February 2006 by the abduction of expatriate oil company employees in the Niger Delta region, which was displayed as an open message to the world for many years of marginalization, injustice, exploitation, and underdevelopment of the region (Akpan, 2010). Since then, the menace became boldly commercialized in several parts of the country. In contemporary Nigeria, the implications of kidnapping are not only on the foreigners; sadly, it now includes locals, such as; the poor and the rich, the aged, and children.
During the second half of the 20th century states sponsored terrorism was deployed against strivings for self determination by many oppressed people. This terrorism of colonialism often produced a backlash of counter terrorism. The colonizers used terror to assert their hold overseas territories, whereas national liberation movements resorted to terrorism to pursue emancipation and independence. A new brand of terrorism arose after the completion of decolonization and the end the end of the cold war.
Kidnapping laws in the United States derive from the common law of kidnapping that was developed by courts in England. Originally, the crime of kidnapping was defined as the unlawful and non-consensual transportation of a person from one country to another. in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, states began to redefine kidnapping, most notably eliminating the requirement of interstate transport. The crime of unlawfully seizing and carrying away a person by force or fraud, or seizing and detaining a person against his or her will with an intent to carry that person away at a later time. The law of kidnapping is difficult to define with precision because it varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most state and federal kidnapping statutes define the term kidnapping vaguely, and courts fill in the details. Generally, kidnapping occurs when a person, without lawful authority, physically as ports (i.e., moves) another person without that other person’s consent, with the intent to use the abduction in connection with some other nefarious objective.
In Nigeria, the crime of kidnapping gained prominence lately with the political strives of militants of the Niger Delta region of the South-South Nigeria (Barack, 2010). The kidnapping of expatriates in Nigeria threatens the very economic base of the nation which is oil exploration. To further push forward their political statement, the militants stepped up their criminal acts by kidnapping Nigerians of high political status or political figures. This eventually led to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) taking decisive steps in checking the activities of militants which eventually resulted in the amnesty programme of the Late President Umar Yar Adua (Akpan, 2010).
Presently, the rate of kidnapping in Nigeria, in spite of the effort of police and other security agencies has been quite worrisome and poses a great challenge to the national security of the country. It has stalled business activities in some areas as well created fear in the minds of Nigerians. On the other hand, the perpetrators, who are mostly youths, are lost to such criminal activities instead of being gainfully employed as productive citizens for Nigeria’s development. The kidnapping of some journalists around Abia state was regarded as the height of the insensitivity of kidnappers (Egwemi, 2010). This has prompted the government of Nigeria to initiate strategies to check kidnapping in the country. The various states in Nigeria are initiating steps at establishing stringent laws to dissuade would-be kidnappers. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Effectiveness of Newspaper Coverage of Kidnapping in Nigeria.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that security of lives and property is one of the issues that attracts the attention of both the masses and government of a given society indeed, any breach of security whether in the form of kidnapping, abduction, bomb explosion and so on, which could result in physical injury against a victim, destruction of properties or loss of human lives is usually least appreciated by most peace loving individuals, and governments alike. Yet, it appears that a breach of security in Nigeria particularly kidnapping, is becoming more rampant than ever before in recent years.
One would reason that the mass media which has a social responsibility to provide the public with adequate information about certain incidents in the society could have paid greater attention to issues bordering on kidnapping and inform the public accordingly. While the broadcast media may not have assigned more air-time to such issues because of too many other programmes, it is assumed that magazine reports on those issues may not have been adequately given the periodic nature of magazine. It therefore becomes pertinent to ask the basic question: to what extend did Nigerian newspapers report kidnapping in the country.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of newspaper coverage of kidnapping incidents in Nigeria by conducting a comparative analysis of two leading newspapers, the Punch and Daily Vanguard. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the role of newspaper reporting in shaping public perception and discourse on kidnapping and related security issues;
- To assess how the coverage by Punch and Daily Vanguard newspapers influences public awareness about the kidnapping crisis;
- To identify any weaknesses or gaps in their reporting practices and suggest areas for improvement;
- To pinpoint the strengths in how the Punch and Daily Vanguard cover kidnapping incidents; and
- To suggest best practices for journalists and media houses in reporting on sensitive security issues like kidnapping.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there best practices for journalists and media houses in reporting on sensitive security issues like kidnapping?
- Does the coverage by Punch and Daily Vanguard newspapers influences public awareness about the kidnapping crisis?
- What are the weaknesses or gaps in their reporting practices and suggest areas for improvement?
- What is the strength level in how the Punch and Daily Vanguard cover kidnapping incidents?
- What is the role of newspaper reporting in shaping public perception and discourse on kidnapping and related security issues?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant difference in the frequency of kidnapping reports between the Punch and Daily Vanguard
- H1: There is a significant difference in the frequency of kidnapping reports between the Punch and Daily Vanguard
Hypothesis Two
- H0: The Punch does not provide more detailed and in-depth reports on kidnapping incidents compared to Daily Vanguard
- H1: The Punch provides more detailed and in-depth reports on kidnapping incidents compared to Daily Vanguard
Hypothesis Three
- H0: There is no significant difference in the tone of kidnapping coverage between The Punch and Daily Vanguard, with the Punch adopting a more analytical tone.
- H1: There is a significant difference in the tone of kidnapping coverage between The Punch and Daily Vanguard, with the Punch adopting a more analytical tone.
1.7 Significance of Study
The issue of kidnapping could be relatively new to Nigeria compared to other countries. This poses a great challenge to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its combating of crime and maintaining national security. Therefore, the findings of this research will be beneficial to the government of Nigeria in putting in place machineries to fight against this menace. It will also be beneficial to security agencies who are directly or indirectly involved in curbing the problem of kidnapping in the country.
Additionally, effective media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping policy responses to security challenges. By evaluating the impact of newspaper reporting on public awareness and perception, the study can provide policymakers with valuable insights to develop evidence-based strategies for addressing kidnapping and improving overall security (Olagunju, 2021).
Furthermore, the findings of this research will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the effectiveness of newspaper coverage of kidnapping incidents in Nigeria by conducting a comparative analysis of two leading newspapers, the Punch and Daily Vanguard.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Lack of Initial Cooperation from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Kidnapping:
It is adjudged to be unlawful detention of persons through the instrument of force, threat, fraud or enticement for different political and socio-economic reasons.
Terrorism:
This is a weapon of the weak against the strong. It is a special form of political violence. As a political activity, it is undertaken not to inflict violence or destruction but to communicate political message.
