Kidnapping for Terrorism Financing: The Case of Boko Haram Group in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Even though the mass media, anecdotal accounts, and popular opinion have consistently alluded to a connection between terrorism financing and kidnapping in northern Nigeria, empirical research focusing on this subject is rare. Therefore, this research investigated the involvement of members of the Boko Haram terrorist group in kidnapping to help finance terrorism. Using in-depth and key-informant interviews, data were elicited from 27 Boko Haram suspects apprehended in Gonan-Magajin-Gari village. The findings revealed that the involvement of Boko Haram in kidnapping was necessitated by the need to devise an alternative source of funding owing to dwindling financial support from the group’s sponsors. Furthermore, group members systematically sourced recruits among individuals perceived to have criminal tendencies.

Keywords

• boko haram
• kidnapping
• terrorism financing
• terrorists
• local vigilantes
• northern nigeria