There has been a disturbing rise in cases of kidnapping across the country. The elite are not the only targets of kidnappers; workers, students, and even children are not spared.
Recently, eight members of the National Youth Service Corps, including their driver, were abducted by terrorists on a highway in Zamfara State. The corps members were travelling in an AKTC bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, to take part in the mandatory national service.
Similarly, residents of Kuchiko Resettlement Development Area in Bwari, Abuja, also raised the alarm over rising kidnap incidents in the area.
These attacks on hapless citizens span across the North-East, South-South, North-Central, North-West, South-West, and South-East due to the activities of Boko Haram terrorists, militant groups, gunmen and other non-state actors.
According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, no fewer than 19,366 Nigerians were kidnapped in 2,694 attacks in the last 10 years.
However, a security officer with a private firm, Armstrong Oyeyemi, believes that while some kidnappings occur randomly, one may reduce the risks of being abducted by taking certain measures.
Assess your risk status
According to Oyeyemi, there are some people who are at a higher risk of being kidnapped and such people will need to be more deliberate in self-protection.
“With the rate of terrorism in the country, anybody can fall victim, but some people are at a greater risk than others. For instance, if you are a politician, actor, doctor, humanitarian volunteer, oil industry employee, tourist or corps member, you are at a higher risk of being targeted for a kidnap.
“When you identify yourself as a person of interest, then you must be deliberate in taking steps to ensure that you are protected and take certain measures to avoid certain regions where there is an ongoing conflict,” he said.
Research your destination
A personal trainer, Kunmi Emmanuel, advised that people whose work required much travel should ensure they researched their destination.
He said, “If you reside in Ogun State and you are travelling to Abuja, for instance, you need to know the states and towns you will pass through and research how safe they are. Inquire from friends, transporters, and other people familiar with the route who can guide you on when and how it is safer to travel.”
There has been a disturbing rise in cases of kidnapping across the country. The elite are not the only targets of kidnappers; workers, students, and even children are not spared.
Recently, eight members of the National Youth Service Corps, including their driver, were abducted by terrorists on a highway in Zamfara State. The corps members were travelling in an AKTC bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, to take part in the mandatory national service.
Similarly, residents of Kuchiko Resettlement Development Area in Bwari, Abuja, also raised the alarm over rising kidnap incidents in the area.
These attacks on hapless citizens span across the North-East, South-South, North-Central, North-West, South-West, and South-East due to the activities of Boko Haram terrorists, militant groups, gunmen and other non-state actors.
According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, no fewer than 19,366 Nigerians were kidnapped in 2,694 attacks in the last 10 years.
However, a security officer with a private firm, Armstrong Oyeyemi, believes that while some kidnappings occur randomly, one may reduce the risks of being abducted by taking certain measures.
Assess your risk status
According to Oyeyemi, there are some people who are at a higher risk of being kidnapped and such people will need to be more deliberate in self-protection.
“With the rate of terrorism in the country, anybody can fall victim, but some people are at a greater risk than others. For instance, if you are a politician, actor, doctor, humanitarian volunteer, oil industry employee, tourist or corps member, you are at a higher risk of being targeted for a kidnap.
“When you identify yourself as a person of interest, then you must be deliberate in taking steps to ensure that you are protected and take certain measures to avoid certain regions where there is an ongoing conflict,” he said.
Research your destination
A personal trainer, Kunmi Emmanuel, advised that people whose work required much travel should ensure they researched their destination.
He said, “If you reside in Ogun State and you are travelling to Abuja, for instance, you need to know the states and towns you will pass through and research how safe they are. Inquire from friends, transporters, and other people familiar with the route who can guide you on when and how it is safer to travel.”
