Most Nigerians are concerned about kidnappings in their state, Afrobarometer study shows
Abuja, Nigeria – March 2, 2021: Most Nigerians are concerned about kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in their state, the most recent Afrobarometer study shows. The apprehension is widespread among all socio-demographic groups and highest in northern Nigeria.
The study also shows that crime/security is among the three most important problems that Nigerians want their government to address.
Kidnappings by extremists and criminal gangs have plagued Nigeria in recent years, especially in the North. Hundreds of schoolgirls in Zamfara State were kidnapped last Friday, and later released, and about 26 people, including a chief imam, were kidnapped in Niger State on Saturday – the same day that 42 students kidnapped in the same state were ransomed.
Key findings
Almost nine in 10 Nigerians (85%) say they are concerned about kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in their state, including 55% who are “very concerned” about this issue (Figure 1).
Only 13% say they are either not that concerned or not concerned at all.
Apprehension about kidnappings is more widespread in the three northern zones – North West (96%), North East (89%), and North Central (87%) – than in the South (Figure 2).
Crime/security joins electricity and infrastructure among the three most important problems that Nigerians want their government to address, ahead of unemployment, water supply, education, and poverty (Figure 3).
Afrobarometer surveys
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Seven rounds of surveys were completed in up to 38 countries between 1999 and 2018. Round 8 surveys in 2019/2021 are planned in at least 35 countries. Afrobarometer conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice with nationally representative samples.
The Afrobarometer team in Nigeria, led by NOIPolls, interviewed 1,599 adult citizens of Nigeria in January-February 2020. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Previous surveys were conducted in Nigeria in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2017.
Charts
Figure 1: Concerns about kidnapping | Nigeria | 2020
Respondents were asked: How concerned are you about the problem of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in your state?
Figure 2: Concerns about kidnapping | by zone | Nigeria | 2020
Respondents were asked: How concerned are you about the problem of kidnappings and attempted kidnappings in your state? (% who say “somewhat concerned” or “very concerned”)
Figure 3: Top 10 most important problems | Nigeria | 2020
Respondents were asked: In your opinion, what are the most important problems facing this country that government should address? (Respondents could give up to three answers.)
For more information, please contact:
Raphael Mbaegbu
Telephone: +234 8063292096
Email: rmbaegbu@noi-polls.com
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www. www.noi-polls.com
www.afrobarometer.org