Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Implication for Social Work Intervention with Victims

Abstract

There have being an alarming recurrent kidnapping and hostage-taking in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Significant numbers of the members of the society are becoming victims of abductions; armed robbers, fraudsters and small-time crooks have engaged in the seeming lucrative venture of kidnapping. Evidently, the targets were foreign oil companies' expatriates' who were taken by oil rebels' usually on attacks in the energy-rich Niger Delta region. The criminal elements are becoming more interested in kidnapping wealthy locals. The paper examines the origin of kidnapping and hostage taking as it poses serious implication Social Work intervention in Niger Delta. This study adopted descriptive research design with systematic review of literatures. The study made use of secondary data such as newspapers, journal articles and periodicals. The study adopted social learning theory and task centered therapy (model) as the theoretical framework for the study. Finding of the study shows that there is significant psychological traumatic impact of kidnap and hostage taking on victims. The paper recommended multi agency social work practice and collaboration in effort to ameliorate the plight of kidnap victims. The paper also recommended the need for social work proactive counseling and reintegration of kidnap victims with post traumatic disorder into the mainstream of their family and the society in general.