In Lagos abduction and detention in exchange for ransom or other inducements before the victim is freed, sometimes known as “kidnapping,” have increased in recent weeks in Lagos, especially and should be taken seriously.
A lot of places have become black spots where these activities take place. Places where kidnapping hasn’t been heard of in the past in Lagos are being dreaded now. Below are some things to abide by when you are in Lagos to avoid being kidnapped.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Some victims of kidnapping have reported that they were picked up after they got into the vehicles of the kidnappers. Due to the shortage of commercial vehicles, sometimes commuters often accept rides from private car owners. This is dangerous as it is difficult to tell who is being kind and who is a kidnapper. Thus, it is better to use designated commercial vehicles than risk being a victim.
For interstate travellers, the same principle applies. It is better to go to the park and use designated vehicles than waving randomly at vehicles on the side of the expressway. While the latter is cheaper and in some cases faster, it increases the risk of being a victim of kidnapping.
AVOID NIGHT COMMUTE
Some of the reported cases of kidnapping have happened at night. Night commuting increases the risk of kidnapping compared to broad daylight where there are more people on the road and chances of being rescued is high. For interstate travel, one should consider an early departure so as to avoid travelling or getting to the destination at night. For a lengthy road trip that may last more than 12 hours, it is advisable to stagger the trip and spend the night in a hotel to continue the journey the following day.
TURN OFF OR DELETE BANK ALERT TEXTS
The motive behind kidnapping for ransom is purely financial. Thus, kidnappers sometimes assess the financial capability of a victim to gauge their relevance. People who are
perceived to be poor are assumed to have poor families who would not be able to raise the ransom and thus not worth kidnapping. This assessment can sometimes be done by going through a victim’s phone for messages that give a glimpse of their financial status. Turning off credit alerts or deleting these messages can be the difference between being a victim of kidnapping or being freed.
TAKE RIDE FROM STRANGERS
Don’t take rides from strangers, if they turn out to be kidnappers, you’ll be at their mercy.
Be wary of anyone who offers you food or drink that you don’t know the origin of. You might be kidnapped and robbed if you aren’t careful as such food or drink could be drugged.
The youngsters should be taught that they should not take presents from strangers. We must, however, use extreme caution in order to avoid causing our children to become paranoid.
AVOID PUBLIC DONATION
To avoid drawing attention to oneself, avoid public donations, flamboyant appearances, or irresponsible money-spraying at gatherings, such as at parties. You should keep in mind that even when musicians and praise-singers are praising you to the sky, they may unintentionally draw unwanted attention to you.
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