MOTUNRAYO JOEL writes about some of the methods kidnappers employ to trick their victims
Reports of kidnapping have become common in Nigeria. Though not a new trend, kidnappers have continued to devise new methods to lure victims. Below are some of the new tricks to watch out for:
1. Ploy at parties
In this method, a note is dubiously passed to the master of ceremonies requesting the owner of an identified vehicle to come out and move his or her vehicle to allow others parking access. Immediately the individual gets to his car, the kidnappers grab the person and zoom off in the car.
This was what happened to Mr. Remi Olakunri who was kidnapped at a party venue in Lagos some months ago.
Olakunri, who drove an SUV to the venue, heard his car’s number plate called out by the emcee, requesting him to step outside to move his vehicle.
As Olakunri got to his car, three men grabbed him and forced him to drive off in his vehicle. Over N1m ransom was paid before his abductors released him.
2. Road blocks
The modus operandi of kidnappers includes mounting road blocks on highways in military uniforms and staging a surprise attack on unsuspecting motorists.
The modus operandi of kidnappers includes mounting road blocks on highways in military uniforms and staging a surprise attack on unsuspecting motorists.
An All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Victor Olabimtan, was abducted by gunmen after he declared his interest to contest the state’s governorship election.
Olabimtan was on his way to Abuja when some persons in military attire, who dubiously manned a road block on the expressway kidnapped him.
3. Disguising as church members
There have been several reports of how kidnappers found their way into churches, disguised as church members and waited for the service to end before carrying out their criminal act.
There have been several reports of how kidnappers found their way into churches, disguised as church members and waited for the service to end before carrying out their criminal act.
A pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Isawo branch, Ikorodu, Lagos, was recently abducted by gunmen who disguised as members of the church and whisked him away after the service.
4. Isolated ATMs
According to a security expert, Mr. Pedro Ayandokun, kidnappers now target isolated automated teller machines with long queues of customers.
According to a security expert, Mr. Pedro Ayandokun, kidnappers now target isolated automated teller machines with long queues of customers.
“These kidnappers look out for the last person in a queue because such individual will be an easy target for them. Nigerians should avoid using isolated ATMs even during the day. Bank customers should always use ATMs within the confines of a bank,” he said.
5. Fake job interviews
Text massages for job interviews are randomly sent to the mobile phones of persons who did not apply for the job. Their agenda is to get desperate job seekers to an arranged venue and hold them before contacting their relatives to pay ransom.
Text massages for job interviews are randomly sent to the mobile phones of persons who did not apply for the job. Their agenda is to get desperate job seekers to an arranged venue and hold them before contacting their relatives to pay ransom.
A victim, Mr. Segun Abiodun, who travelled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for a job interview was abducted by those who purportedly had a job offer for him. His abductors initially demanded N5m before it was reduced to N2m.
6. Neighbours as bait
Security agencies have constantly warned Nigerians against opening their doors for neighbours at odd hours.
Security agencies have constantly warned Nigerians against opening their doors for neighbours at odd hours.
It had been observed that kidnappers, rather than heading for the house of their potential victim directly, use the person’s neighbour to knock on the door or gate of their potential victim. Their belief is that their target would open the door for the neighbour.
7. Luring children with gifts
Two months ago, Bayo Adeyemi, a male pupil of a school in Okokomaiko area of Lagos State, was kidnapped on his way home after closing hours.
Bayo and his brother were on their way home when the kidnappers, who were in a bus, accosted them on the road and gave the elder brother N100 to buy candy and biscuits. The victim offered to run the errand with his younger brother but they ordered him to leave his brother behind.
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