Abstract

In this study, the researchers ascertained the Biserial association in kidnapping, secondary school enrollment and students' academic performance in Imo State. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Correlation research design which involved the explanatory method and simple linear approach was adopted forthis study. The population of this study was made up of 296 public secondary schools and their host communities in Imo State. A sample of 36 public secondary schools was used as sample. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used for the sampling. Three instruments were used for data collection; Kidnapping Occurrence Inventory (KOI), Secondary School Enrollment Index (SSEI) and Students' Academic Performance Record (SAPR). The face and content validities ofthe instruments were established. Biserial Correlation Coefficient statistic (r,) was used to answer the research questions while the hypotheses were tested with t-test of significance of simple linear correlation statistic at 0.05 level of significance. It was found in this study that kidnapping has a very high negative influence on students' enrollment and also has moderate negative influence on students' academic performance. This is because, when kidnapping is on the increase, students' enrollment over the years and students' academic performance tend to reduce. Hence there is very high and moderate tendency for kidnapping to affect students' enrollment and academic performance. The researchers recommended that securities should be adequately provided in the local communities so as to curb kidnapping, this can be done through provision of more security personnel in the society.