VEJOH - VERITAS JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES

Kidnapping and other insecurity vices have been a menace in human history. The acts of kidnapping and banditry as observed in history are not new crimes, as most nations of the world have been hit by this criminality in recent years. Nigeria is experiencing its expanded toll in almost all the states of the nation and the Christian church as a human organization has been greatly and negatively impacted. This paper examined the effects of kidnapping and insecurity on Christians in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Guided by the conflict theory of Karl Marx, it employed a mixed-methods research design using quantitative and qualitative techniques of analysis to examine the possible causes and effects of kidnapping on Christians. Findings revealed that unemployment, failed leadership, and corruption, were the major factors responsible for the rising incidences of kidnapping in the state, leading to socio-religious and economic effects on the people. It was further discovered that the government’s response to kidnapping through amnesty programme and dialogues among others have not sufficiently curtailed its occurrence in the state. The paper recommends that kidnappers and their sponsors should be identified and made to face the full wrath of the law. In addition, Church leaders should collaborate with government agencies to implement job creation and poverty alleviation programmesto reduce vulnerability and enhance the economic status of the citizens.

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