GUIDANCE AND INVALUABLE ADVICE FROM A KIDNAP VICTIM’S EXPERIENCE
By S.K. Usman
Introduction:
These are some guidance and very valuable advice to general public by a victim of kidnap in Northern Nigeria (name withheld). By following these precautions, you can reduce the risk of becoming a target for kidnapping and protect yourself in case of such a harrowing experience. May God protect us all, Amen.
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I was kidnapped on Thursday, 15/08/2024, around 6:30 pm. On that fateful day, I was not their intended target; they were pursuing a man driving a Lexus RX 350 SUV.
In his attempt to escape, he recklessly collided with my 2004 Toyota Corolla. At the scene of the accident, the kidnappers decided to take all of us. They dragged us into the forest, where we spent seven harrowing days.
They blindfolded us with our shirts and forced us to sleep on bare ground. We were exposed to the elements, enduring both sun and rain, without the opportunity to bathe or brush our teeth for the entire week.
Under severe beatings and at gunpoint, they forced us to reveal the passwords to our bank apps and transferred all our money to accounts belonging to other kidnapped victims, from whom they had also forcibly taken ATM cards and PINs. They used these cards to withdraw large sums of money from POS operators.
This incident highlights the serious security flaws in Nigeria’s POS operations. POS operators can dispense up to N2 million in cash with just a 4-digit PIN, without requiring any biometric verification.
There have been many cases where people are held hostage, even in their own homes, while these criminals forcibly collect ATM cards and withdraw substantial amounts of money.
When they asked about my profession, I told them I was just a struggling building contractor. Initially, they believed me, but when they went through my photo gallery, everything changed.
They saw pictures of me in beautiful offices, houses, and other places that enraged them. They began to resent the fact that they were suffering in the bush while people like me were enjoying air-conditioned offices and homes.
This anger led them to beat me with the back of a cutlass and demand a ransom of N40 million, which they later reduced to N15 million.
The security lessons from my ordeal are crucial:
√ Remove Photos Showing Affluence:
Delete any photos from your phone that depict affluence, especially those taken in the office with an ID card showing where you work. Such images will only increase your kidnapping value. Avoid showing off on social media, especially pictures of your home or possessions.
√ Delete Bank Alerts:
Always delete bank alerts from your phone, especially those for your life savings account. Consider keeping a separate phone at home to receive such alerts. The balance in your account can influence the ransom amount demanded.
3. Delete Retirement Savings Alerts:
Ensure that you remove any Retirement Savings Account (RSA) alerts from your phone. Kidnappers do not understand the difference between a regular transaction account and one that can only be accessed at a certain age.
√ Avoid Mentioning Big Companies:
Avoid attaching the names of large companies or establishments to your contacts. Any call from them might give the impression that you have access to people who can pay a significant ransom.
√ Limit the Use of IDs and Business Cards:
Keep identification cards, business cards, or anything related to large establishments at the office. The current security situation does not call for carrying them around.
√ Carry Only One ATM Card:
Stop carrying more than one ATM card. If kidnapped, the more cards you have, the more money the kidnappers can withdraw.
√ Limit Bank Apps on Your Phone:
Avoid having more than one bank app on your phone. Kidnappers will force you at gunpoint to reveal the passwords for all your bank apps, as they did to me.
√ Avoid Driving Flashy Cars at Night:
Kidnappers target flashy cars, especially at night.
√ Avoid High-Risk Locations at Night:
Avoid visiting high-risk locations, such as joints, at night. Spending lavishly in such places sends a message that you are wealthy, making you a target for kidnapping as soon as you leave.
√ Avoid Moving Alone:
Whenever possible, avoid travelling alone, especially in high-risk areas. Being in the company of others can reduce the likelihood of being targeted.
√ Trust Loved Ones and Maintain Confidentiality:
Keep trusted loved ones informed about your whereabouts and travel plans, but ensure they understand the importance of keeping this information confidential. Sharing your movements with too many people can increase your risk.
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Brigadier General SK Usman (rtd), a former Spokesperson of the Nigerian Army is a security expert/media consultant in Abuja, Nigeria.
