Kidnappers in Lagos
NaijaRock
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Posted by Felix Okoli on Monday April 22, 2013 at 12:8:12:
It is no longer just in the Eastern region of Nigeria, in states like Delta, Rivers, Anambra or Abia that has become a haven for kidnappers, lately, it seems that these boys who kidnap adults for their money are shifting their base to Lagos as insecurity gradually grows in Nigeria. Who are these kidnappers really? We don't yet know as their operations are mostly shrouded in secrecy and they normally operate using insider's information.I still remember some 10 or 15 years ago when the military were in power, the issue of kidnapping was not as common as it is now. Perhaps we can call it the negative dividends of democracy in Nigeria as the military have proven that they can offer a more secure environment for Nigerians than a civilian govt.In a recent newspaper report, a local council chairman in Lagos was reported to have been kidnapped and a ransom of $1m has been placed on his head. $1m almost translates to over N150m and I wonder if the man makes that kind of money in a year unless they want him to steal from public funds.Are kidnappers better than Boko haram or hired assassins? Well I think they are since your life is more likely to be spared. However, most people who do get kidnapped would not like to have a second experience like that again. Some would even prefer to die while fighting against their kidnappers than be kidnapped again. Kidnapping is a very humiliating experience for the victim and some have been reported to have died during their captivity and kidnappers still go ahead to collect the ransom.Kidnappers in Nigeria no longer target only the rich and famous for millions of naira but they have also been reported to target just about every Emeka, Sola and Hassan even for their minimum wages and pensions. Kidnappers who target victims nowadays in Nigeria accept payments ranging from hundreds of millions to thousands of naira.Kidnapping even is a common occurrence in some northern states where insecurity cause by the Boko haram menace is allowing criminals and terrorists to use people as body shields and for ransom.We only pray that now that Kidnapping seems to be spreading to Western Nigeria, our Oga at the top would do something urgently to save us because not many Nigerians are rich enough to protect themselves from the power of kidnappers.What is the best way of avoiding a kidnap in Nigeria? I guess one has to learn to keep some secrets to himself and mind what he tells or does before the public that has to relate with money. Kidnappers are less likely to target people who do not immediately have physical funds or liquid assets. Staying safe and keeping a low profile can help one for a while. Currently, t seems that investing in better physical security would help protect rich men in our society for the long term. Investing in things like a gps capable mobile phones, bullet proof vehicle, police or private security outfit and so on are what the rich people in our society have been forced to use in protecting themselves against the growing reach of kidnappers.
Comments:
It is no longer just in the Eastern region of Nigeria, in states like Delta, Rivers, Anambra or Abia that has become a haven for kidnappers, lately, it seems that these boys who kidnap adults for their money are shifting their base to Lagos as insecurity gradually grows in Nigeria. Who are these kidnappers really? We don't yet know as their operations are mostly shrouded in secrecy and they normally operate using insider's information.I still remember some 10 or 15 years ago when the military were in power, the issue of kidnapping was not as common as it is now. Perhaps we can call it the negative dividends of democracy in Nigeria as the military have proven that they can offer a more secure environment for Nigerians than a civilian govt.In a recent newspaper report, a local council chairman in Lagos was reported to have been kidnapped and a ransom of $1m has been placed on his head. $1m almost translates to over N150m and I wonder if the man makes that kind of money in a year unless they want him to steal from public funds.Are kidnappers better than Boko haram or hired assassins? Well I think they are since your life is more likely to be spared. However, most people who do get kidnapped would not like to have a second experience like that again. Some would even prefer to die while fighting against their kidnappers than be kidnapped again. Kidnapping is a very humiliating experience for the victim and some have been reported to have died during their captivity and kidnappers still go ahead to collect the ransom.Kidnappers in Nigeria no longer target only the rich and famous for millions of naira but they have also been reported to target just about every Emeka, Sola and Hassan even for their minimum wages and pensions. Kidnappers who target victims nowadays in Nigeria accept payments ranging from hundreds of millions to thousands of naira.Kidnapping even is a common occurrence in some northern states where insecurity cause by the Boko haram menace is allowing criminals and terrorists to use people as body shields and for ransom.We only pray that now that Kidnapping seems to be spreading to Western Nigeria, our Oga at the top would do something urgently to save us because not many Nigerians are rich enough to protect themselves from the power of kidnappers.What is the best way of avoiding a kidnap in Nigeria? I guess one has to learn to keep some secrets to himself and mind what he tells or does before the public that has to relate with money. Kidnappers are less likely to target people who do not immediately have physical funds or liquid assets. Staying safe and keeping a low profile can help one for a while. Currently, t seems that investing in better physical security would help protect rich men in our society for the long term. Investing in things like a gps capable mobile phones, bullet proof vehicle, police or private security outfit and so on are what the rich people in our society have been forced to use in protecting themselves against the growing reach of kidnappers.
Comments: