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1. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
34
SECURITY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN THE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
INDUSTRY IN IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA
Akpan, F. U.
Department of Hospitality Industry
Federal Polytechnic Idah,
Kogi State, Nigeria.
akpan.flora@yahoo.com
08063454066
ABSTRACT
The study assessed the ‘Security Issues and Challenges in Hospitality and Tourism Industry’.
60 respondents were selected from 3 hotels and 3 recreational centers in Idah Local
Government area of Kogi State, to examine how the current security challenges affect the
industry. Purposive random sampling technique was used in selecting both the customers and
staff from the industry. The study used a 5 point Likert scale structured questionnaire in
collecting the data. Result obtained indicated that 92% of the respondents agreed that cult
activities had led to reduction of hospitality and tourism patronage, 90% agreed that
unemployment lead to increase in crime and 88% agreed that kidnapping and arm robbery in
the area are worrisome. It was also discovered that over 70% of the respondents agreed that
fear of security challenges had destroyed social life of the people due to stealing and killing of
tourist. The study recommended that parents should check their children behavior and teach
them good morals to detest evil in the society. Furthermore, government should create more
job for youth in the country and also provide enabling environment for tourist to patronize the
industry by reinforcing security checks to control criminal action so that hospitality and
tourism can be viable in the economy.
Key words: Security challenges, hospitality, tourism, kidnapping and killing, low patronage.

2. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
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INTRODUCTION
The development of hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria has been identified as one of
the viable means of diversifying the nation’s economy away from reliance on oil and gas
products (Ovuoraini 2013). The growth of hospitality and tourism industry has come of age,
and the global report on tourism indicated that more than 690.8 million tourists travelled
internationally (WHO 2012). Hospitality and Tourism industry account for 30% of the total
world export and 50% of international trade in service. 10% of Gross Domestic Products (GDP)
providing jobs for over 7% of the world workforce while spending $1030 billion in 2011
(Apaokagi 2013: Akpan and Onyejizu 2013). Hospitality and Tourism industry has become a
central component of the economy, social life and the geography of many cities in the world
and it is ideally position to contribute to seize the opportunities stemming from urbanization
(UNWTO 2015). However, the industry thrives in an environment that is warm, friendly and
receptive to strangers, visitors, and tourists. But the industry had face with a lot of security
challenges that brought about set back on the progress of National economy as result of theft,
killing, fire outbreak, arm robbery, bomb threat (Agbanike 2013).
Objective of the study
The paper set to examine the security challenges and its effect on the Hospitality and Tourism
industry and find solution on how to control them so that industry could be more viable.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The tourist product in hospitality and tourism industry is the totality of what tourists buy viz
accommodation, meal, entertainment, security and safety inclusive. These products can
become either as good quality or poor quality, high quality or bad quality as the case maybe.
The fact remains that the quality of a tourist product is all encompassed in the determination of
the overall value of what is presented to the consumer. A well designed accommodation outfit
with up-to-date furnished guest rooms can be turned to an ugly experience if the measure of
security and safety are below expectation (Faniyi, 2013). The Hospitality and Tourism industry
regardless of size is extremely vulnerable to security heads (Puri, 2008). The central role of
safety, lives and property of guest is important in running hotels. Tourists seek first for safety

3. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
36
of their lives and property, as well as adequate security above luxury and other facilities.
Hospitality and Tourism must ensure safety of their guest by developing adequate security
measures but in recent development, there has been increase in killing, stealing, fire outbreak,
arm robbery, and terrorism (Ogbonna et al., 2013).
According to Bankole (2008) the Department of State warns U.S citizens of the dangers of
travel to Nigeria due to limited tourist facilities and conditions that pose considerable risk to
travelers. Violent crimes, committed by ordinary criminals as well as by persons in police and
military uniforms that occur throughout the country. Kidnapping for ransom of persons
associated with the petroleum sector, involving US citizen remains common in Niger Delta
area. Use of public transportation throughout Nigeria is dangerous and people become afraid.
Taxis poise risk because of possibility of fraudulent or criminal operators and poorly
maintained vehicle. Most Nigerian Airlines have aging fleets; there are valid concerns that
maintenance and operational procedures become inadequate for tourist safety. This situation
discourage tourist from visiting Nigeria.
There are many conflicts in communities where hospitality and tourism parks are located. This
has undermined religious practices, cultural values and their social organizations. The spiritual
attachment of communities to the forest has hindered the full development of potential parks
centers. People continue to view tourist with hospitality, visitors and evangelizing Christians
coming to their community as evil (Omitola and Omitola 2009). 65 tourists were gunned down
in Kuwait and Tunisia as they relaxed on a beach, while worshipers were killed in a suicide
bomb attack in Shia Mosque (African Hospitality and tourism 2015). Seven French tourists
were kidnapped from one family including 4 children in Northern Cameroon, and 11 foreign
tourists were kidnapped in Egypt.
Effect of security challenges on hospitality and tourism patronage 0n tourist
Security challenges in Kogi State have brought about reduction on hospitality patronage and
other activities in the ancient town of Idah. The peaceful ancient town of Igala land was taken
over by the activities of cult rival. Youth who were seen celebrating, making, themselves happy
with a large group of people to witness the event, were suddenly ran for their lives when cult
group storm in Idah with gun and axes threatening, killing anyone who dare confront them.
“There were tears, sorrows and blood flow as the peace of the community was turned into
violence. Guns, cutlasses and all sort of dangerous weapons were used on each other by the
cult group. Idah market area was also thrown into panic when the cultist sought for their rival”.

4. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
37
The residents have not recovered the loss of their properties; travelers were also kidnapped on
their way to Lokoja the state capital. Recreational centres are seriously affected. People could
not go out due to cult activities. Prominent members of the society were kidnapped on weekly
basis demanding for ransom. Egwu (2015). Faniyi (2013) pointed Cynthia Osokagu case who
met untimely death in a hotel where she was raped, dispersed of her belongings then murdered
by friends. The security challenges are worrisome and need urgent protection for travelers,
Employees in the industry also suffered a lot of security challenges, more than 400 workers
were lay off from Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos (African Hospitality and Tourism 2008). There
is no job security for the employees in the Hospitality and Tourism industry, employees are
exploited, getting their pension after retirement become a problem, because there is no job
security, they have no to time for regular medical check-up to detect serious illness . Foskett
and Ceserani (2007) acknowledged that employee should have regular check-ups so that if any
unusual symptoms appear the manager should be informed, the employee can then seek
medical advice. The early investigation and treatment of diseases will lead to safety of live.
The way to prevent illness and accident is to take proper precautions every day. Causes of
outbreak of diseases could be prevented if early symptom is discovered (Lawal 2015). The
Hotel Forum Association (HOFA) Chairman lamented that due to insecurity, the industry is
recording low patronage because most events have been shifted to other parts of the country.
In fact events like conferences have been shifted from Abuja to other places to decongest the
area, functions have been more to localities during December and people move from the cities
to urban centres for celebration (Ekong 2013).
Okpanku (2015) viewed that security problem in the country has led to loss of business and
leisure travelers pack their bags and leave, citing the North East Nigeria, as the epicenter of
insurgency of Boko Haram activities. The issue of insecurity challenges is shifting from city to
urban. Government challenge is to keep reducing constraints in the area of security. In the
Eastern part of the country series of destruction had been done on oil pipe by Niger Delta
Average group. Government should continue to tackle insecurity to safeguard the economy.
Guest theft is a reality in hotel and tourism business. Guests takes hotel items as souvenirs or
plainly because the items in a hotel are useful at home. Thieves usually took items from rooms
like towel, vanity set, soaps, bathrobes and slippers with hotel logo on them. It is a serious
concern because of the huge cost to replace them; this is a big loss to the hotel (Andrew 2008).
Hotel guest may come to the hotel deliberately with intention to defraud the management. He

5. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
38
may plan an action that gives impression of being honest and trustworthy at initial stage, but
eventually stage a walk out leaving unpaid bills or giving a dud cheque (Olugboye 2002).
Solutions to the security challenges in the hospitality industry
Since security problem have been eating deep into hospitality and tourism industry, both
government and individual should join hands together to fight the security problems and make
the industry viable for patronage. However, youths that have been seen idle without
employment should be made to involve in agriculture in different states of the federation at
various river basin agricultural development. Moreover, the hotel staff should be more vigilant
to dictate guests who are coming to defraud the establishment. The management should fire the
staff who involved in fraudulent act in the hotel. Hotel securities should also check all guests
before admitting them into the hotel to detect any suspect.
Study Area
Idah is an ancient town of Igala people. It is one of the 21 Local Government Area in Kogi
state. It is located on eastern bank of River Niger. It is the headquarter of Igala kingdom whose
traditional ruler is the Attah Igala. Idah has a commercial route on the River Niger that link
Lokoja, the Kogi State capital to the North; and Onitsha in Anambra state to the south, and
Agenebode in Edo across the Niger to the west. Idah hosts Federal Polytechnic and College of
Health Technology. The main occupation of the people are farming and trading. The major
language is Igala. It has a popular figure of 79,815 during 2006 census. (History of Kogi state
2016)
METHODOLOGY
The paper used purposive random sampling to collect data for the study. Ten customers and
members of hotel staff were purposively selected from six sector of hospitality and tourism
industry given a total of 60 respondents. Descriptive and survey method were also used for the
research. A five point Likert scale was used to determine the perception of the respondents.

6. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
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Table 1: Socio- economic characteristic of the respondents.
Frequency Percentage Valid
percentage
Cumulative
percentage
Age
<20 10 16.7 17 17
21-30 25 41.7 42 59
31-40 16 26.7 27 86
41-50 5 8.3 8 94
51 and above 4 6.7 6 100
60 100 100
Sex
Male 40 66.7 67 67
Female 20 33.3 33 100
60 100 100
Marital status
Single 15 25 25 25
Married 30 50 50 75
Divorced 10 16.7 17 92
Widow 5 8.5 8 100
60 100 100
Religion
Christianity 35 58.3 58 58
Islam 25 41.7 42 100
60 100 100
Educational level
Primary 17 28.3 28 28
Secondary 13 26.6 22 50
Post secondary 30 50 50 100
60 100 100
Occupation
Trading/farming 30 50 50 50
Civil servant 12 20 20 70
Student 18 30 30 100
60 100 100
Experience on hospitality job
1-5yrs 3 5 5 5
5-10yrs 20 33.3 33 48
11 yrs and above 37 61.7 62 100
60 100 100
Level of income
<N30,000 20 33.3 33 33
N31,000 – N60,000 25 41.7 42 75
N61,000 – N90,000 10 16.7 16 91
N91,000 and above 5 8.5 9 100
60 100 100
Source: Field survey 2016

7. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
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Table 1 above indicated the personal data of the respondent in the study area. 50% of the
respondent ages fall between 20-30yrs which are the youth that like to go out and make
merriment during festival period. This really shows that many youth that went out for leisure
lost their lives on that faithful day Adagba (2016) stated that there was “blood bath in Kogi
state as 20 persons including a pregnant women were mowed down by ramping cultist over a
death of their member”. Over 50% are married people who have children and should encourage
their children to take into farming instead of involving themselves on cultism. 50% of the
residents are those that finished higher education yet there is no job and politicians used them
extensively during campaign, after achieving their aim, they dump them without offering them
any job. 50% are shown as traders/farmers which is very lucrative in the area. That is why the
hospitality is seen as easy business to start up because there is availability of food in the study
area yet youth did not like to join their parent and farm, rather they took to steal what others
have suffered to achieve.
Table 2: Effect of security challenges in hospitality and tourism sector
S/N SA A U D SD +Ve -Ve Rank
1 Cult activities cause a reduction on
hospitality patronage
40(66.67) 15(25) - 2(3.33) 3(5) 91.67 8.3 1st
2 Fear keep customers away from
social life
30(50) 15(25) 3(5) 7(11.67) 5(8.33) 75 20 7th
3 Kidnapping and arm
robbery activities are worrisome in the
area of study
40(66.67) 13(21.67) 2(3.33) 3(5) 2(3.33) 88.34 8.33 3rd
4 Parents have no control on their
children behavior
35(58.33) 10(16.67) 3(5) 5(8.33) 7(11.67) 75 20 7th
5 Politicians encourage youths on thug 31(51.67) 14(23.33) 3(5) 7(11.67) 9(15) 80 26 6th
6 Motorcycle operators are seriously
involved in stealing from travelers
21(35) 30(50) 2(3.33) 3(5) 4(6.67 85 11.67 5th
7 Unemployment lead to increase in
crime
46(76.67) 8(13.33) - 3(5) 3(5) 90 10 2nd
8 Hotels and leisure centres are not safe
home
29(41.67) 15(25) 5(8.33) 10(16.67) 5(8.33) 66.67 25 9th
9 Youths do not want to engage in
farming
31(51.67) 20(33.33) 2(3.33) 4(6.67) 3(5) 86 11.67 4th
10 Police are checking
criminal activities in the area.
29(48.33) 15(25) 41(6.67) 2(3.33) 10(16.67) 73.33 20 8th
Field Survey: (2015)
Key: SD=strongly agree, A=agree, U=undecided, D=disagree, SD=strongly disagree, s
Table 2, above 92% respondents indicated that the activities of cultists in Idah community is
so serious that it caused a reduction on eateries and bar operation.75% respondents state that
fear grip the residents as they witness the death of their relations. Many people left business

8. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Multidisciplinary Journal 2: (2) 34-43 Akpan, (2017)
41
and ran away (Egwu 2015). This type of killing rank 1st
on the list. 90% respondents agreed
that the causes of cult activities become more serious as a result of lack of employment so
people turn to cultism lack of employment ranked 2nd
, kidnapping and arm robbery ranked 3rd
with 88% response. 86% respondents stated that since youths neglected farming and turned to
commercial motorcyclist life become unbearable with arm robbery and kidnapping. They target
travelers especially at night were there is no transportation. 85% agreed that travelers become
their victim, 80% agreed that the politicians encourage thugry during campaign and this lead
to crime, while 75% agreed that parents have no control of their children and customers keep
away from social life because leisure centres are viewed as unsafe home with 65% but upon all
this happening 73% respondents agreed that police are checking the criminal activities in the
area. This really gives hope that social life will one day return to the area and business will kick
up again.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
Hospitality and tourism industry had been identified as one of the fast growing economic
sector that can contribute more foreign exchange to sustain the nation. It is believed that if
protected by keeping the sector free from crime, tourist will patronize the industry, and more
income will be generated from tourist centers, since the oil well is no longer fetching more
income to the country like in past.
Recommendations
Based on the findings, the study therefore recommends that:
 Youths should be discouraged from thug and engage themselves in farm work to earn
a living
 Parents should keep on advising and monitor the activities of their children right from
primary stage. Good moral will help to keep children away from joining bad friend
which leads them to stealing, arm robbery and cultism.
 Religious leaders should continue to spread the gospel to people to detest from evil way
of live in the society.
 Security agents should be paid well to encourage them to keep more surveillance in the
area, so that the industry will be more viable in the future.

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 Government should create enabling environment for tourist to patronize hospitality and
tourism industry.
 Government should create job opportunity for youth to occupy them and make them
responsible.
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