What is motivating the kidnappings in Nigeria?

Question

Obviously money is a motivating factor but what political motivations are there? Do the kidnappers feel the oil is being stolen from Africa or something?

Answer 1

The exploitation of the nations resources by foreign officials is what motivates the kidnapping. If you are not suspected to be connected to any of these mulitnational orgizations there chances are you wont be kidnapped. However if your dutch and just so happen to be strolling throught downtown Lagos, built in hatred will be motivate one to swoop down on you. I frequently visit the nation and it is not like they swoop up and kidnap random tourists. As a matter of fact there is a strong desire for most (yes most) Nigerian citizens to be as warm as possible to tourists-- this is due to the fact tourism is will be the next great revenue generator for Nigeria.

Answer 2

The oil companies are owned by foregners. The Nigerians who work there have jobs and at least some kind of income as a result of these "greedy" oil companies setting up shop in Nigeria.
Those kidnappers are extorsionists and nothing more. I don't buy their B.S story about them being oppresed or living in poverty due to the Oil companies. They were living in 3rd world conditions before the Oil companies got there. What they're doing is the equivalent of a Bank robbery.
If you and I walked into a bank or a gas station and took hostages and said; We're poor because of this Bank or Gas Station company. Not because we're too good to work for the man for an unsatisfactory fixed wage. So it's okay that we take all the money kidnap and exchange the workers for more money. That's what those guys in Nigeria are doing.

Answer 3

This little if anything to with oil or politics. Most Nigerians in the Delta area are dirt poor and some on the margins will take any steps such as Internet Scams and kidnapping to make a living. If the oil money was better distributed across the population it may help reduce kidnapping, but some would simply want more cash!

Answer 4

Not so much stolen from Africa, but stolen from the people.
The only ones getting rich in nigeria are the oil companies and the corrupt politicians.Life for the average citizen of nigeria has not changed much at all and those are the ones who are doing the kidnapping, as well as others

Answer 5

Sorry, but this particular point has to be made.
Though there have been more than 200 kidnappings in Nigeria over recent times, child abduction is rare. They have, however, become more frequent in recent months as the notion of child kidnapping appears to guarantee a dramatic rise in the profile of all concerned.
Yet another, entirely unanticipated knock-on effect of the McCann's ignoring police advice regarding their European tour. Now, children are at a premium worldwide for nutcases.

Answer 6

its power - and control - there are several indigenous tribes who are from that region - and they are fighting each other - outsides who came more then a century ago - as well as within thier own tribes for power - there is a small select group in the government takes all the money coming in - and not distributing it to the people - unfortunatly those who are fighting to overthrow the government do so by kidnapping those they see as powerful and rich - the true crime is that when they overthrow the government in the name of the people - they also do not distrube to the people what they get - they just make themselves rich - until someone else in the name of the people overthrows them

Answer 7

they might well put oil forward as an excuse, but in reality it is about money. who kidnaps a child, then threatens to kill that child unless they get money,they are just criminals who want to make a quick buck.

Answer 8

Like in Asia its religion, some of the people in Africa are Arab.

Answer 9

i agree,most likely money.