Kidnapping in Nigeria: What to do and how to keep safe

NIGERIA - Kidnapping is not new in Nigeria but it is on the rise. News has filtered in that the kidnappers favour not only expatriates but also wealthy pastors and footballers. Oil
workers are often targeted for ransom in the south, and Islamist militants are active in northern Nigeria.

In January this year, German engineer, Edgar Fritz Raupach was abducted by gunmen in Kano, northern Nigeria and was killed during a failed rescue bid. Fellow Italian, Modesto di Girolamo was rescued a couple of weeks ago.

A few weeks ago, Italian based Nigerian midfielder, Christian Obodo was kidnapped while on a visit to his hometown, Effurun, near the oil city of Warri in southern Nigeria.

He was seized when parking his car and three hours later at night and in the middle of a forest the kidnappers removed the blindfold. He was held hostage for 24 hours.

  

Recalling the gruesome incident, Obodo said, "They sat me down and told me to ask my family for a ransom of US$200,000, so that nothing bad would happen to me. It was dark and I couldn't see anything."

Similar incidents have been reported of well known pastors as well. Often details of the victims where bouts are leaked to the kidnappers through someone close to the victim.

Fortunately, a day after he was abducted, police officers tracked Obodo to Isoko, just outside Warri where he was rescued and the suspects arrested.

 

Apart from the police, vigilante groups also play a major role in rescuing victims. In Obodo's case, his village vigilante group were the first to notify the police that he had been taken a gunpoint and lend their support.

Famous footballers who have been kidnapped

2007 - International defender Onyekachi Apam was kidnapped by armed men who took his car before releasing him. 

2008 -  The elder brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped in oil-rich Port Harcourt before being released 10 days later.

2010 - The father of Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi was also seized in Jos, north-central Nigeria, but was rescued by police days later. 

* Places to avoid in Nigeria *

How to avoid a kidnap

Anyone can be kidnapped - it is not only about wealthy footballers and pastors, children too can be kidnapped. 

• If you are an international footballer, always travel with a couple of well trained body guards.
• Ride in a bullet-proof car and use a driver who is not a local, a relative or friend.
• Never tell anyone of your whereabouts, where you will be staying and where you are except when you are travelling with your guards.
• Pay your guards well - they will save your life.
• For everyone else, teach your children to be street-wise.
• Look around you all the time so that you can immediately notice anything strange.
• Never go to new places alone.
• Don't get over friendly with strangers. 
• If you are abducted, never be bad tempered or fight with your abductors. Comply with their requests, stay calm and someone will most likely rescue you.

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