This paper examines the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to analyse crime distribution and support kidnapping reduction efforts in Ondo State, Nigeria. Conventional law enforcement approaches in Nigeria remain largely reliant on manual record systems and non-digital crime tracking, which constrain timely intervention and evidence-based decision-making. Against this backdrop, the study pursues three specific aims: first, to delineate crime concentration zones, spatial trends, and recurring patterns within the state; second, to appraise the performance limitations of prevailing policing strategies; and third, to assess how GIS can enable a more anticipatory and intelligence-driven approach to public security management. To accomplish these aims, a mixed-method research design was adopted, incorporating structured questionnaire surveys administered to police officers and civilian residents alongside field-collected GPS coordinates and remotely sensed satellite imagery. Spatial analyses, including hotspot delineation and buffer zone modelling, were carried out within ArcMap. Findings reveal that robbery and burglary constitute the most frequently occurring offences, while significant operational deficiencies persist within the policing system. The study demonstrates that geospatial technology offers substantive improvements over conventional methods by enabling targeted resource deployment, strategic patrol planning, and proactive mitigation of criminal incidents including kidnapping. These results affirm the urgency of mainstreaming digital geospatial tools into Nigeria’s law enforcement infrastructure.