ANALYZING THE EFFECT OF KIDNAPPING ON THE EDUCATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF A GIRL CHILD

ANALYZING THE EFFECT OF KIDNAPPING ON THE EDUCATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF A GIRL CHILD

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The word “kidnapping” first appeared in the United Kingdom in the 17th century, when infant “kids” of affluent families were “napped” while sleeping and held for ransom (Tzanelli, 2006; Ibrahim & Mukhtar, 2007). As a result, it is a criminally motivated behavior that is not entirely a recent social issue. Kidnapping is the act of enticing a person or group of people into captivity in order to obtain a desired goal (Ngwama, 2014). According to Fage & Alabi (2017), it entails using force to kidnap people in order to accomplish a specific goal. Additionally, it is the act of grabbing someone by force and holding them against their will, according to another definition. Supporters have emphasized that kidnapping can arise from the need to campaign for political freedom, environmental protection, economic empowerment, and terrorist intent. For instance, in the Niger-delta region, kidnapping foreigners from American, Asian, and European nations was done to draw attention to the poor economic and environmental conditions in the area (Ani & Nweke, 2014). However, organizations fighting for political freedom, like the Columbian FARC rebel group, may engineer kidnapping (Rubio, 2004). Kidnapping can also be caused by terroristic intent, as was the case with the Boko Haram kidnapping of schoolgirls in Chibok town on April 14, 2014. No matter what the kidnappers’ motivations may be, scholars have noted that it is impossible to ignore the impact of terror on the victims (Ene, 2018). Furthermore,

These abductions, which were initially carried out to raise awareness of the environmental impact of oil exploration on the region among the Nigerian government and the international community, were soon used for financial gain (Ani & Nweke, 2014). An estimated $100 million USD was paid as ransom to kidnappers between 2006 and 2009, according to a former Inspector General of Police in Nigeria (Ene, 2018), indicating a concerning increase in the rate of kidnapping in the nation. This demonstrates the extent of decay in today’s society and the effects it has on all facets of society, particularly the girl child.

The idea of the girl child has been a topic of debate among academics for many years. Since domestic and international organizations support gender equality, the girl-child can

It is impossible to overstate the role that education plays in the advancement of society. If the educational sector is not developed, no nation can reach its full potential. It is a crucial tool for ensuring the human race’s survival as well as its ascent to greatness, power, and prestige. It serves as the basis for constructing nations (Oyitso & Olumukoro, 2012).

Therefore, the process of increasing a person’s mental, social, emotional, spiritual, and political intelligence through the provision of necessary knowledge and environments that support this (Kobani & Nkpolu, 2014). Education, according to Ocho & Nwangwu (2005), is the process that a person goes through to become relevant to the society. According to a different school of thought, education is the process by which a person acquires relevant skills and possessing the skills necessary to realize their full potential and achieve self-actualization (Onyido & Osigwe, 2017). According to Bulut and Bars (2013), it contributes to the preservation, enhancement, and transmission of cultures among societies. The horrors of the kidnapping of schoolgirls continue to be vivid in the minds of the populace as Nigerian society struggles to comprehend the realities of kidnapping. Leah Shaibu’s case serves as a constant reminder of the risks and effects of kidnapping girls in Nigeria. According to Bakwai et al. (2014), parents have chosen to have their children go to schoolless rather than have them abducted or killed. Due to this potential, more than 6 million girls are currently not attending school (Obahopo & Arenyeka, 2014). According to Murray-Bruce (2013), the declining levels of education can be related to the nation’s security. According to Sanni (2015), the north-east region of Nigeria records the highest rates of girl child illiteracy in the nation due to the region being severely affected by suicide bombing, kidnapping, and attacks by militant groups, particularly the boko haram group. Buba (2015) claims that kidnapped children experience emotional trauma from things like rape, child marriage, slavery, and torture. The kids are also employed as suicide bombers and human shields (Sanni, 2015) Fear of these events has caused attendance in schools across the nation to decline as a result of the frequent kidnapping of schoolgirls (Ovuorie, 2015). Children today, according to Olugbode (2015), live in constant fear. Historically,

However, participation in education in the northern part of Nigeria has been lower than in the southern parts of Nigeria. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including religion, culture, and the belief that western-influenced education is incompatible with Islamic beliefs (Okobiah, 2002). The fact that there are more kidnappings of young girls in the area has made this situation worse. Thus, it can be inferred that kidnapping has a negative impact on the education of girls by causing low enrollment rates and a rise in illiteracy, which limits the extent to which they can contribute to societal, economic, and political development.

1.2 Description of the research problem

The horrors of the kidnapping of schoolgirls are still vivid in people’s minds due to the realities of kidnapping. a population. Leah Shaibu’s case serves as a constant reminder of the risks and psychological effects of kidnapping girl children in Nigeria. Despite this, the harsh reality is that parents who want to send their daughters to school are now afraid to do so out of concern for kidnapping. Girls who want to go to school are no longer able to do so for fear of being abducted as well. If this trend is allowed to continue, there will be low turnout of girls at school, which practically means that girls will not get access to education for fear of being kidnapped. This has affected the emotional and educational state of the girls, both the kidnapped and the one who has not been kidnapped are now.

which will then have an impact on the nation’s political and economic development. (2021; T. Duyile)

1.3 Study’s objectives

The following are the main goals of this investigation:

1. To determine the causes of kidnapping of girls

2. To determine how kidnapping affects a girl child’s emotional health.

3. To determine how kidnapping affects a girl child’s educational development.

4. To learn how to ease the trauma that kidnapped girls are experiencing.

5. To suggest potential solutions to stop the kidnapping of women in society.

1.4.1 Research issues

1. What are the motives behind the kidnapping of girls?

2. How does kidnapping affect a victim’s emotional state?

health of a young girl?

3. How does kidnapping affect a girl child’s ability to develop academically?

4. How can we assist girls who have been abducted in overcoming their trauma?

5. What might be done to stop the kidnapping of women in our society?

1.5 Importance of the research

The impact of kidnapping on a girl’s emotional and intellectual growth will be highlighted in this study.

The results of this research will undoubtedly give government organizations, NGOs, state governments, the ministry of education, individuals, and academia the information that they need.

1.6 Study’s purview

This study aims to investigate how kidnapping affects a girl child’s emotional and intellectual growth. Hence, this research

is restricted to a few chosen secondary schools in the state of Zamfara.

1.7 Studies limitations

The following are some of the factors that limited this study:

Given the current state of the economy, financial restrictions are unavoidable. due to a lack of funding available to the researchers to purchase materials and print questionnaires. Some police stations and some of the corruption victims could not be visited.

The issue of inadequate data exists in developing nations like Nigeria.

Time is a factor that also poses limitations because the researcher must juggle writing the research and doing other academic work, which is uncomfortable.

1.8 Term operational definitions

Analyze: systematically and thoroughly examine something, usually

to elucidate and interpret it.

A change that happens as a result of an action or other cause is called an effect.

Kidnapping is the act of enslaving someone after abducting them.

Education is the act of receiving or imparting organized instruction, particularly at a school or university.

Learning what feelings and emotions are, comprehending their nature and causes, identifying your own feelings as well as those of others, and creating practical coping mechanisms are all part of emotional development.

girl child: a young child who is female