KIDNAPPING

CURRENT GLOBAL KIDNAPPING TRENDS – FROM WHERE IT HAPPENS AND TO WHOM, TO WHO DOES IT AND WHY

In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against the person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority. This may be done for ransom or in furtherance of another crime, or in connection with a child custody dispute.

Kidnapping for ransom is a common occurrence in various parts of the world today, and certain cities and countries are often described as the "Kidnapping Capital of the World." 

As of 2007, that title belongs to Baghdad.  In 2004, it was Mexico, and in 2001 it was Colombia.  Haiti also has frequent kidnappings (starting several years ago), as do certain parts of Africa.

In the past, and presently in some parts of the world (such as southern Sudan), kidnapping is a common means used to obtain slaves and money through ransom. In less recent times, kidnapping in the form of shanghaiing (or "pressganging") men was used to supply merchant ships in the 19th century with sailors, whom the law considered unfree labour.

Kidnapping has been identified as one source by which terrorists organizations have been known to obtain funding. The Perri, Lichtenwald and MacKenzie article identified Tiger kidnapping as a specific method used by a known terrorist organization, although which terrorist cell conducted the intelligence gathering, which terrorist cell made direct contact, and which terrorist cells shared in the profit prior to forwarding the monies obtained from the kidnapping up to the top organization members is not known for certain.

GLOBAL KIDNAPPING STATISTICS

Economic kidnapping is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. It is estimated that kidnappers globally take home in the region of $500 million each year in ransom payments: the hostage is a commodity with a price on his head. Reliable statistics are hard to come by, but it is estimated that there are approximately 10,000 kidnappings each year worldwide. The undisputed kidnap capital of the world is Colombia, where the activity has been described as 'a cottage industry'. In 2000, the Colombian National Police recorded 3162 cases. Colombia's problem has not been contained within its own borders. Colombian kidnapping groups often cross over into Venezuela and Ecuador to take hostages, and both countries feature in the top ten. Other hot-spots around the globe include Mexico, where the problem has risen dramatically in the last five years, Brazil, the Philippines and the former Soviet Union. The following countries are the top ten kidnapping hot-spots.

             

1 Colombia

2 Mexico

3 Brazil

4 Philippines

5 Venezuela

6 Ecuador

7 Former Soviet Union

8 Nigeria

9 India

10 South Africa

Going by this list, Latin America is an important hub for kidnapping. However, it would be wrong to see the crime as a uniquely Latin American problem. Over the past decade or so, kidnapping has risen in parts of Africa, most notably Nigeria and South Africa. This can largely be traced to the expansion of multi-national companies into these countries following the rich natural resources on offer. Similarly, companies moved into parts of the Former Soviet Union following the collapse of communism at the start of the last decade, and the kidnapping rate has grown there, too.

Now let us come back home and look at THE NIGERIAN SITUATION.

Many say that the fear of kidnapping has become the beginning of wisdom in the South-South And South-Eastern States where it has become a household discussion. Kidnapping used to be associated with ritualists who were alleged to be after children whom they were said to have used for ritual purposes. Simple vigilance by parents over their children solved this problem in those days when children were warned to move in groups and raise alarm whenever they suspected any movement. That was an old story as the targets had been shifted to, not just every adult, but adults rich enough to buy their freedom with millions of Naira as ransom. The present day kidnapping in Nigeria is said to have begun in the form of hostage-taking, both of which were said to be "…alien to Nigeria until they were employed by the militants of the Niger-Delta region in January 2006 to press home their demand for equity and resource control" (Newswatch, June 29, 2009, p.23). During this period, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, was said to have kidnapped four expatriate oil workers "to draw national and international attention to the plight of the people of the area". MEND also demanded the sum of $1.5b as ransom; the sum they claimed would be used for the development of the region. Through the special intervention of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the then governor of Bayelsa State and now the President of Nigeria, the oil workers were released after 19 days.

Starting from then, and with the international attention given to it, kidnapping became a daily occurrence in the Niger-Delta from where it spread to the south-eastern states. As it spread, the purpose of it also shifted from freedom fighting to a full money-making venture so much so that many people are now into it with some 'big men' believed to be working behind the scene. The victims also cut across all segments in so far as they could be used to extract reasonable amount from their relatives. Men, women and even children have at one point or another been kidnapped and have stayed for days in the hands of their abductors. Many of them have very horrible stories to tell. Some men were said to have been beaten black and blue when there was delay in bringing the ransom. The women are the most vulnerable as the kidnappers may sometimes decide to taste their husbands' 'special dishes' as they await the ransom. Some women are also said to be among the kidnappers but their works are mainly culinary and luring the victims to their trap.

Many states have got their own shares of kidnapping incidents. The south-eastern states have recorded quite a high rate of kidnappings but the south-southern states remain the origin and home of kidnapping as far as Nigeria is concerned.

In Akwa-Ibom state, Aniefon Aniede-Udoh, the 23-year old daughter of Aniede Udoh, the chairman of Abak LGA of Akwa-Ibom died in the hands of her abductors. The other 'guests of honour' to the abductors' den are: Austin Ekong, a former chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Council; Ubong Obot, younger brother of Emmanuel Obot, special assistant to Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa-Ibom; Nse Ntuen, chairman of Esse Udim LGA, Gov. Akpabio's home local government; Godwin Udoh, younger brother to Emmanuel Udoh, chairman of Eket LGA; Imeh Uwak, a treasurer with Obok LGA; Ignatius Edet, father of the speaker of Akwa-Ibom state House of Assembly.

Imo state has also had a fair share of the victims of abduction. Among them are the traditional ruler of Nkwerre Autonomous community, Chijioke Okwara; Michael Ekerue, the traditional ruler of Ifakala autonomous community in Mbaitoli LGA and his wife, Felicia; Barbara Nwoke, the education secretary, Umuowa council; Sylvester Ibe, a septuagenarian retired soldier; Herbert Amushie, a retired principal; Innocent Ibekwe, a septuagenarian retired education officer and former chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Imo state and father of a Catholic priest; Basil Enwerem, deputy director, accounts, Government House, Owerri; Peter Orji, the treasurer of PDP, Imo state; Ginikanwa Udeagu, daughter of Ebere Udeagu, former deputy governor of Imo state; Celestine Ngaobiri, member representing Obowo constituency in Imo state House of Assembly; Christopher Chukwu, father of Tony Chukwu, a wealthy businessman. He later died after the ransom had been paid. Rev. Fr. Matthew Chieran, an Indian Catholic priest was also kidnapped in Ulakwo, Imo state.

Those who have shared the 'comfort' of the kidnappers' house in Anambra state include: Mr. Pius Ogbuawa, an Nnewi business mogul and pastor of his family church; two Chinese men and a Nigerian working with Innoson Industries Ltd., Nnewi; Chief Anthony Enukeme, CEO, Tonimas Group of Companies; Chief Paul Okonkwor, Chairman, Pokobros Group; Chief Mbamalu Okeke, traditional ruler of Abagana, my hometown; Mr. Michael Aguowo and his Liberian wife; Dr. Tochukwu Mbachi, the immediate past chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra state and Medical Director, Beluchukwu Memorial Hospital and Maternity, Enugwu-Ukwu; the aged mother of Okey Chukwuogo, governorship aspirant, PPA; the aged mother of Igwe-elect of Ichida, Chief Charles Ezeudeogu, CEO, Charlesco Group; Dr. Cordelia Ego Uzoezie, the commissioner for Women Affairs, Anambra state and her son, Kenechi; Sir Joe Dimobi, member representing Anaocha II Constituency in the Anambra State Assembly.

In Abia State, which is fast becoming the most notorious state where kidnapping business booms, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, chairman of Enyimba Football Club and Awa Kalu are some of the victims.

In Enugu State, Uche Ani, the state co-ordinator of UNDP was a victim; Dan Nwome, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the governor of Enugu state; Fred Ifeora, the Zonal Director of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and his wife, who were later killed. Also, a traditional ruler and an Enugu-based hotelier, Igwe Uche Chukwuka was kidnapped, killed and his body dumped at a refuse dump of the Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA).

In Delta state, Mrs. Henrietta Omoregie was kidnapped by a gang that included her own son and later died in their hands and was unceremoniously buried in a shallow grave; Melvin Okoye, 17-year old son of Celestine Okoye, an assistant commissioner of police in charge of operations in Delta state; Arthur Okowa, a septuagenarian father of Ifeanyi Okowa, secretary to the state government, Delta state have also been guests of the kidnappers.

In Edo state, Sam Osammede Adun, M/D Bob Izua Transport Company Ltd. and a chieftain of PDP, Edo state; Pa Odvwrri, the father of ThisDay Editorial Page Editor, Eddy Odvwrri who was slain by his abductors for recognizing them. Godgood Nlakosin was also said to have been killed by his abductors.

In Rivers state, these men have also gone on 'courtesy call' to the abductors' hideouts. They include Elechi Amadi, an elder statesman and a veteran author; Samuel Nnee, the paramount ruler of Kpite Community in Tai LGA; Gladys Daukoru, wife of Edmund Daukoru, former minister of petroleum resources; Afinyetogha Igoni, commissioner for works with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSEIEC); Msgr. Pius Kii of Christ the King Catholic Church, Port-Harcourt.

In Ondo state, Iyabo Basaru, wife of the commissioner for lands, Sikiru Basaru and her friend, Sola Alli, the wife of a newly appointed permanent secretary in the state have been 'august visitors' to the kidnappers' hide-out.

In Ekiti state, Tope Okunlola, the south-west regional manager of Spring Bank PLC and his driver, Ojo Adebayo have been 'hosted' by the kidnappers. In Kaduna state, Julie Ann Mulligan, a Canadian woman and guest of the Rotary Club International, District 9120, ended up being a 'guest' of the kidnappers.

Now the above statistics does not represent the true situation of kidnapping incidents in Nigeria. Some states are obviously under-represented whereas some are not represented at all.

The wide-ranging state of insecurity in the South east, security experts say, had reached a stage where practically everybody is now worried about the frightening dimension the region is headed.

Presently, hardly can people sleep with both eyes closed for fear of being kidnapped. Businessmen, politicians and other wealthy persons have taken voyage as well as with their businesses for fear of being kidnapped. In the last few years, kidnapping and hostage taking have moved from the Niger Delta creeks to Ndi-igboland.

The ogre has broadened and taken unfathomable derivation in the land where many able-bodied but unemployed youths proliferate. Within the South-east, Abia State is the epicentre followed by others in the region. Everybody is now concern. It is expected against obtainable verification that the rich government officials, traditional rulers, elected politicians and their immediate families are now the target of the men of evil.

There appears not to be hiding place for the rich, even though some of them have relocated their families outside the South-east geo-political zone or outside the country. Even Lagos that was once regarded as insecure state is now a heaven of choice for many.

Recently, the profit-making activities in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, were crippled as banks were forced to close their doors against demanding customers after frequent violent attacks on banks. At a point, the evil men outsmarted all procedures adopted by the banks to avoid them.

Sadly, the news the international community has about the South east is that it is most unsafe to live and do business. To be sure, the World Bank recently rated Imo State as one of the worst states in the country to do business.

The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) recently expressed regret over the serious security problems in the South east region. It said that “the security challenges had worsened the already bad and unfriendly business environment that is negatively affecting the growth of businesses and socio-economic activities in the area.”

                                

Apart from NACCIMA, the police, states in the south east and other segments of the society are worried. Recently peeved by the state of insecurity- kidnapping in Anambra, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, announced the deployment of 16 units of anti-riot policemen to the area to complement the efforts of policemen attached to the state commands. But in spite of this, security experts and monitors say the level of insecurity in the region had heightened.