Nigeria is a nation at war with itself, and in many parts of the country, freedom is under arrest. Kidnappers have turned many hitherto peaceful cities and towns to theatres of absurdity. The rich and famous are their main targets. For the police authorities in these zones, it is one battle too many. This article reveals how the phenomenon is impacting on the economies of the states.
It is always about cash; hard-earned cash. No cheques. No direct bank transactions between the parties; just raw cash. Cash delivered in Ghana-must-go bags. Cash given under duress with tears, pains, and humiliation. The giver never gets the courtesy of a ‘thank you’ from the recipients. Huge sums that many of the victims would ordinarily not give away just like that - at least not to people they do not know. It is cash in exchange for life. Those who demand them know exactly the people with ransom value, and often when they strike, they do so with such military precision that leaves you wondering where they got their training from.
It is Nigeria’s new growth industry, one that tells how human life has been cheapened in the country. But for the kidnappers, it is just another way to make quick money. Mahatma Gandhi, the late Indian sage, must have had this cruel business in mind when he talked about “commerce without conscience” as one of man’s societal problems. It is the death threat involved, that makes the business fly most times. South-eastern Nigeria, reputed as the country’s home of industry, is now a region under siege. Nabbing of affluent individuals or their family members is now a way of life for misguided youths, whose number is swelling by the day.
They unleash terror on their victims without regard for age and status. One of the recent victims in Onitsha, still visibly traumatized by her horrendous experience in the hands of her kidnappers says, “it is dangerous to be rich and famous in the South East now.” Most kidnap syndicates in the region are highly organised and often ruthless. They use hideouts in places you least except including very remote villages.
Another victim who led this writer to the uncompleted building near the popular Concorde Hotel Owerri where her snatchers hid her for three days, described kidnapping in Imo state as ‘simply awful’. “The irony of this evil trade is that the operators live among us. They move around town with us, attend meetings with us and even go to churches with us,” she laments.
The roll call of prominent victims is a long one that includes Pete Edochie, the famous Nollywood veteran; Nkem Owoh, another Nollywood star; Elechi Amadi, renowned writer and novelist; Pa Simeon Soludo, father of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tobechukwu Mbachi, former chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State; Stella Odimegwu, wife of former managing director of Nigerian Breweries, and Ngozi Nneji, wife of Frank Nneji, chairman/CEO of ABC Transport Limited. The families of these victims were forced to dish out large sums as ransom.
Andy, a security consultant in Owerri, estimate that not less than N10 billion had exchanged hands as ransom for kidnap victims in Imo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Abia states in the last 12 months. “It is that worrying. Kidnapping is a plague in these states now.” Part of Andy’s business is providing private security guards for those who can afford it. He acknowledges, even at this time of biting economic recession, business has been good. “I can tell you that in one of the cases that happened in this state, the ransom paid was actually N20 million. Some have paid more than that.”
One of the most recent incidents in Imo state happened in Orsu local government area, and involved the wife of Festus Odimegwu, former managing director of Nigerian Breweries plc, who was kidnapped last month during a church service. Her kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion. It was later reduced to N500 million. It is not certain how much was finally paid to them before the woman was released three days later. After she gained her freedom, Odimegwu sacked his police guards and engaged the services of soldiers.
Every rich man in Imo state has such personal security service. It is mostly men of the police force. There are, however, some who prefer soldiers and the stern-looking bodyguards popularly known in local parlance as ndi akpu obi (men with big chests). For people the class of Odimegwu, the average number is eight. It could be more depending on the size of the family.
Officials of the Police Public Relations Department at the Police Headquarters, Awka declined giving any clue on the amount paid per police guard in such instances. But information gathered in Owerri reveal that it ranges from N20,000 to N50,000 per month. Computed on N30,000 per guard, a family which uses five police officers, will be spending N150,000 as official payment.
A Washington-based group ranks Nigeria as one of the top kidnapping hotspots in the world along side Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia. Until recently, kidnapping in Imo state involved mainly children used for ritual purposes.
Kidnapping for ransom started five years ago with militants in the Niger Delta abducting foreign oil workers in the creeks. “Some of these criminals are thugs armed by the politicians during elections. They are now hunting them. The problem is other innocent people are now becoming victims,” said an NTA Port Harcourt reporter.
The kidnapping of foreign nationals has reduced as affluent locals are now the target. 35 British nationals were kidnapped in the Niger Delta in 2006, compared to less than 10 in 2009.
Ensuring the security of people and their property is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a well-functioning state. But what happens when the state fails – security becomes a thing for the highest bidder. That is exactly the situation in the Niger Delta and South-eastern states that have become kidnapping centres. According to an Owerri-based security analyst, “Imo is over-policed and under-secured.” As the gap between the population’s need for security and the ability of state institutions to provide it has grown, wealthier citizens have turned to the private sector. Private security contractors have mushroomed in Imo, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Abia states.
Investment into personal security by the rich in these states has risen significantly as a general feeling of foreboding spreads. Most prominent politicians in the regions move in bullet proof cars, both official and private. The Bayelsa state governor has up to five of such cars attached to his office. They cost between N20 million and N40 million depending on the armouring. These investments show how screwed the Nigerian society has become. Such massive investments are funds which ordinarily should be invested into productive ventures that will employ thousands of unemployed youth.
As at the time of filing this report, Ikedi Ohakim, governor of Imo state is in Washington, United States. He makes such trips regularly to the U.S and U.K scouting for foreign investors. The same is true of other governors from the region. But are these frequent trips abroad translating into the desired investment in their states? A member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Owerri branch, told this writer in an interview that he lost three prospective partners last year. “They visited the period some Indian managers of an aluminium company here were kidnapped. The news was all over. Infact, it was their embassy that warned them not to come and invest here.”
Ime Akpan, an Uyo-based businessman had a similar experience. Having made what he thought were ‘strong contacts’ during a business trip to the United States, he was optimistic that those contacts will translate into rewarding partnerships. “I had invited my potential partners to Uyo. A month to when they were supposed to come, I got an email from the leader of the team saying they are sorry they can’t come based on the advice from their embassy.”
A visit to the websites of the U.S Embassy in Nigeria and the British High Commission, confirms Ime’s experience. “We advise against all travel to the Niger Delta States of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers (including Port Harcourt) and advise British nationals in these states to leave,” noted a section on travel advice. “We also advise against all travel to riverine areas of Akwa Ibom State. We also advise against all but essential travel to other areas of Akwa Ibom State. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas.”
“If you decide to travel to or remain in these areas it would be reckless to do so unless and until you have taken full, appropriate professional security advice and have acted on it. You must be vigilant at all times and make sure that your local host and family know your travel plans and timings,” the advice further reads. The information on the website of the United States embassy in Nigeria isn’t any different. “Violent crime committed by individual criminals and gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police and military uniforms, is a problem throughout the country, especially at night. Visitors and resident U.S. citizens have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary, carjacking, rape, kidnappings and extortion, often involving violence.”
Emma Okenze, a security analyst, believes the information on these websites about Nigeria, “though somewhat exaggerated, are not far from the truth.” His advice: “I think governors should be more concerned about providing security in their domain than globe-trotting in search of foreign investors that would always be asked to look elsewhere by their embassies. The reality is that capital is shy and would always go to where it can find safety.”
It is not only foreign nationals that are avoiding the South-eastern states now. Since Nathan Ibe, an Imo state-born UK-based medical doctor, was kidnapped last September, even citizens of the state based abroad are apprehensive visiting home. This writer encountered Emeka, a U.S-based Mbaise indigene at a high-brow hotel in New Owerri on Easter Sunday. Emeka said he had earlier planned to spend the Easter with his wife and three children at home, but had to shelve the idea and visit alone because of regular reports of kidnapping in the state. Emeka spent most of his time at the hotel receiving relatives and only visited his village once throughout his two week stay.
Adapted from BusinessDay
It is always about cash; hard-earned cash. No cheques. No direct bank transactions between the parties; just raw cash. Cash delivered in Ghana-must-go bags. Cash given under duress with tears, pains, and humiliation. The giver never gets the courtesy of a ‘thank you’ from the recipients. Huge sums that many of the victims would ordinarily not give away just like that - at least not to people they do not know. It is cash in exchange for life. Those who demand them know exactly the people with ransom value, and often when they strike, they do so with such military precision that leaves you wondering where they got their training from.
It is Nigeria’s new growth industry, one that tells how human life has been cheapened in the country. But for the kidnappers, it is just another way to make quick money. Mahatma Gandhi, the late Indian sage, must have had this cruel business in mind when he talked about “commerce without conscience” as one of man’s societal problems. It is the death threat involved, that makes the business fly most times. South-eastern Nigeria, reputed as the country’s home of industry, is now a region under siege. Nabbing of affluent individuals or their family members is now a way of life for misguided youths, whose number is swelling by the day.
They unleash terror on their victims without regard for age and status. One of the recent victims in Onitsha, still visibly traumatized by her horrendous experience in the hands of her kidnappers says, “it is dangerous to be rich and famous in the South East now.” Most kidnap syndicates in the region are highly organised and often ruthless. They use hideouts in places you least except including very remote villages.
Another victim who led this writer to the uncompleted building near the popular Concorde Hotel Owerri where her snatchers hid her for three days, described kidnapping in Imo state as ‘simply awful’. “The irony of this evil trade is that the operators live among us. They move around town with us, attend meetings with us and even go to churches with us,” she laments.
The roll call of prominent victims is a long one that includes Pete Edochie, the famous Nollywood veteran; Nkem Owoh, another Nollywood star; Elechi Amadi, renowned writer and novelist; Pa Simeon Soludo, father of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tobechukwu Mbachi, former chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State; Stella Odimegwu, wife of former managing director of Nigerian Breweries, and Ngozi Nneji, wife of Frank Nneji, chairman/CEO of ABC Transport Limited. The families of these victims were forced to dish out large sums as ransom.
Andy, a security consultant in Owerri, estimate that not less than N10 billion had exchanged hands as ransom for kidnap victims in Imo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Abia states in the last 12 months. “It is that worrying. Kidnapping is a plague in these states now.” Part of Andy’s business is providing private security guards for those who can afford it. He acknowledges, even at this time of biting economic recession, business has been good. “I can tell you that in one of the cases that happened in this state, the ransom paid was actually N20 million. Some have paid more than that.”
One of the most recent incidents in Imo state happened in Orsu local government area, and involved the wife of Festus Odimegwu, former managing director of Nigerian Breweries plc, who was kidnapped last month during a church service. Her kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion. It was later reduced to N500 million. It is not certain how much was finally paid to them before the woman was released three days later. After she gained her freedom, Odimegwu sacked his police guards and engaged the services of soldiers.
Every rich man in Imo state has such personal security service. It is mostly men of the police force. There are, however, some who prefer soldiers and the stern-looking bodyguards popularly known in local parlance as ndi akpu obi (men with big chests). For people the class of Odimegwu, the average number is eight. It could be more depending on the size of the family.
Officials of the Police Public Relations Department at the Police Headquarters, Awka declined giving any clue on the amount paid per police guard in such instances. But information gathered in Owerri reveal that it ranges from N20,000 to N50,000 per month. Computed on N30,000 per guard, a family which uses five police officers, will be spending N150,000 as official payment.
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| Niger delta militants |
Kidnapping for ransom started five years ago with militants in the Niger Delta abducting foreign oil workers in the creeks. “Some of these criminals are thugs armed by the politicians during elections. They are now hunting them. The problem is other innocent people are now becoming victims,” said an NTA Port Harcourt reporter.
The kidnapping of foreign nationals has reduced as affluent locals are now the target. 35 British nationals were kidnapped in the Niger Delta in 2006, compared to less than 10 in 2009.
Ensuring the security of people and their property is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a well-functioning state. But what happens when the state fails – security becomes a thing for the highest bidder. That is exactly the situation in the Niger Delta and South-eastern states that have become kidnapping centres. According to an Owerri-based security analyst, “Imo is over-policed and under-secured.” As the gap between the population’s need for security and the ability of state institutions to provide it has grown, wealthier citizens have turned to the private sector. Private security contractors have mushroomed in Imo, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Abia states.
Investment into personal security by the rich in these states has risen significantly as a general feeling of foreboding spreads. Most prominent politicians in the regions move in bullet proof cars, both official and private. The Bayelsa state governor has up to five of such cars attached to his office. They cost between N20 million and N40 million depending on the armouring. These investments show how screwed the Nigerian society has become. Such massive investments are funds which ordinarily should be invested into productive ventures that will employ thousands of unemployed youth.
As at the time of filing this report, Ikedi Ohakim, governor of Imo state is in Washington, United States. He makes such trips regularly to the U.S and U.K scouting for foreign investors. The same is true of other governors from the region. But are these frequent trips abroad translating into the desired investment in their states? A member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Owerri branch, told this writer in an interview that he lost three prospective partners last year. “They visited the period some Indian managers of an aluminium company here were kidnapped. The news was all over. Infact, it was their embassy that warned them not to come and invest here.”
Ime Akpan, an Uyo-based businessman had a similar experience. Having made what he thought were ‘strong contacts’ during a business trip to the United States, he was optimistic that those contacts will translate into rewarding partnerships. “I had invited my potential partners to Uyo. A month to when they were supposed to come, I got an email from the leader of the team saying they are sorry they can’t come based on the advice from their embassy.”
A visit to the websites of the U.S Embassy in Nigeria and the British High Commission, confirms Ime’s experience. “We advise against all travel to the Niger Delta States of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers (including Port Harcourt) and advise British nationals in these states to leave,” noted a section on travel advice. “We also advise against all travel to riverine areas of Akwa Ibom State. We also advise against all but essential travel to other areas of Akwa Ibom State. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas.”
“If you decide to travel to or remain in these areas it would be reckless to do so unless and until you have taken full, appropriate professional security advice and have acted on it. You must be vigilant at all times and make sure that your local host and family know your travel plans and timings,” the advice further reads. The information on the website of the United States embassy in Nigeria isn’t any different. “Violent crime committed by individual criminals and gangs, as well as by some persons wearing police and military uniforms, is a problem throughout the country, especially at night. Visitors and resident U.S. citizens have experienced armed muggings, assaults, burglary, carjacking, rape, kidnappings and extortion, often involving violence.”
Emma Okenze, a security analyst, believes the information on these websites about Nigeria, “though somewhat exaggerated, are not far from the truth.” His advice: “I think governors should be more concerned about providing security in their domain than globe-trotting in search of foreign investors that would always be asked to look elsewhere by their embassies. The reality is that capital is shy and would always go to where it can find safety.”
It is not only foreign nationals that are avoiding the South-eastern states now. Since Nathan Ibe, an Imo state-born UK-based medical doctor, was kidnapped last September, even citizens of the state based abroad are apprehensive visiting home. This writer encountered Emeka, a U.S-based Mbaise indigene at a high-brow hotel in New Owerri on Easter Sunday. Emeka said he had earlier planned to spend the Easter with his wife and three children at home, but had to shelve the idea and visit alone because of regular reports of kidnapping in the state. Emeka spent most of his time at the hotel receiving relatives and only visited his village once throughout his two week stay.
Adapted from BusinessDay
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