KIDNAPPING PREDISPOSING FACTORS AMONG YOUTHS IN EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study is on kidnapping predisposing factors among youths in Anambra State, Nigeria. A total 100 participants with mean age of 22.35 were sampled through cluster and incidental methods, comprising 25 males and 75 females. Data attained interval scale, and data analyses were done with SPSS Version 25. Design of the study was cross-sectional, statistics was multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), and ethical measure was confidentiality and informed consent. Data were collected with Kidnapping Predisposing Factors Questionnaire by Nwankwo (2025) with overall content validity of 0.79, convergent validity of 0.92, split-half reliability of 0.78, Cronbach alpha of 0.79, and Strict Parallel reliability 0.81. A participant’s response time could take between 20 to 30 minutes. Findings were: Gender consideration did not significantly influence Nigerian youths’ perceived kidnapping predisposing factors. Education attainment consideration did not significantly influence Nigerian youths’ perceived kidnapping predisposing factors. Education attainment consideration did significantly influence Nigerian youths’ perception of “Religion” as a kidnapping predisposing factor. Interaction of gender and education attainment considerations did not significantly influence Nigerian youths’ perceived kidnapping predisposing factors. Recommendations were made religious tolerance to reduce using kidnapping as an instrument jihadism. Good governance was also recommended, as kidnapping predisposing factors are attributes of bad governance.