KIDNAPPING AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: CAUSE AND WAYFORWARD IN KOGI STATE (2015-2022)

Kogi State in recent times has witnessed unprecedented level of insecurity in form of political thuggery, farmers and herders conflict and kidnapping. However, despitc urfht manifestation of insecurity in Kogi State,kidnapping is taking the centre stage due to the faot the phenomenon is very strange in Kogi State unlike the Niger Delta region which is very com gur.This paper examines kidnapping and socio-economic development of Kogi State within the puried of 2015 to 2022. Also, both qualitative and quantitative secondary source of data were reljed upon and primary. sources of data in form of interviews were gathered through purposivel and snowballing sampling techniques and with the use of documentary method of data analysis and caw study and ex-post-facto research design was adopted for in-depth analyses to alsb verify past occutrences on the phenomenon, The study hingedon frustration aggrel sion theory of John Dollard et al and Daniel Bell's Queer Ladder theory of economic empowerment and social climbing as a scientific tool of analysis. The nexus between kidnapping and socio economic was established and It was discovered that poverty and unemployment, moral decadence and quest to get rich quick syndrome, corruption, unfairness and persuasive material inequalities, external influence, cultism rite of passage and peer pressure among others are the causes of kidnapping in Kogi State and i .effects-are loss of lives, discouragement of investors and expatriates, economic effeeton income,social effect/dearth of social life, obstruction of business and farming activities.of the state among others. The study reveals that some of the efforte of Kogi State C curbing kidnapping to be setting up of vigilante ġroup, establishment of forwaid for Nigerian.Army,Declaration of operation total freedom,initiating whistle blower togd.others and suggested recommendation were given on how te curb kidnapping e.g. 201-should enact a law that ensures consequence of kidnappingis high than the gain,3omn.should make a deliberate policy to create job opportunities, the police should adope n technology in combating crime among others. Conclusively, the elimination of the menere at kidnapping in Kogi state is the duty of everybody, especially the government since the gover..is bound by the contract of ensuring adequate security of the citizers.