Saving Our Kids From Being Kidnapped

When we think we’re one step ahead, the goons take it to another level possible. It’s a new ballgame, a new method adopted by kidnappers to kidnap our kids and loved ones. The new operation mimics two known forms of abduction namely, Tiger kidnapping and Express kidnapping.

Are the tigers in town or they’re yet to infiltrate?

There’s probably a good reason for one to believe so or have the strong suspicion that the tigers are here. A text or message written by an unknown author has cautioned the Ghanaian public to be wary of the modus operandi of some individuals parading themselves as ‘Good Samaritans’ on our highways and byways.

It suggests that the bad guys are already in town aiming to ambush us and snatch our kids away from us by any means necessary. So, let’s be wise parents and guardians. Let’s stay alive and be like a helicopter mother. And keep in mind, when they go rogue we must play it smart and be clever to save our kids.

Under the guise of giving a helping hand a man and woman will be lying in wait as though they’re taking their children to school. Their so-called kids are dressed in a particular school uniform. This uniform must be the uniform of a school that's along their route.

It could be the Lapaz – Tesano road if you live in Accra. It could be that stretch from the Stadium Road to Adum, if you’re in Kumasi (The Garden City) or it could be the Beach Road to the European Hospital in the Oil City-- Takoradi.

According to the message, if they’re fortunate to see parents without car or lorry waiting for a lift or ride, they’ll (the kidnappers) stop by and tell the parents: We’re dropping our kids at the same school so don’t worry save yourself the hustle to go there,—‘with a promise to drop your children’. Unbeknownst to them that the kids have been kidnapped.

Sounds like a 21^st Century Hollywood Movie isn’t it?

Yes, it’s like signing your own death warrant. You surely don’t want to fall prey to this gambit or wicked plot. What happens next? Thereafter, they’ll take the kids to an unknown location for rituals or ransom, according to the message now in circulation on the New Media.

What to do should you come across these-up-to-no-good-guys?

First of all, be actively aware of your surroundings no matter where you find yourself and keep your guard. Urban Martial Arts owner Serge Sognonvi points out that “people who look like they’re easy targets tend to be easy targets and draw the attention of a potential attacker.”

Mr. Sognonvi argues that staying alert to what’s going on around you will not only help you be more prepared to defend yourself, but you may be less likely to need to in the first place.’

Keep in mind if the report we’ve is anything to go by per its methodology we don’t have that luxury of time, space plus the wherewithal to joke with the predators. The majority of our people lack this martial arts or self defence skill. Their targets aren’t the parents rather the children.

So the best cards to play here is to alert police if you suspect individuals as described above. Always make sure you carry your cellphone. Also if you’re a parent e.g. a mother do not walk your child or children alone to the roadside to get a ride, get a company. And do not entertain any strangers, especially when you’re with your kids.

Avoid eye contact but try as much as possible to observe suspect (s) closely. Decline offers such as rides, candies or toffees and if they approach you to offer any assistance decline it. Again, if you can try to memorise the car’s registration number or quickly snap a photograph of the suspects car as they take off from the scene. This must be done discreetly.

So what’s kidnapping?
In criminal law kidnapping is the unlawful carrying away (asportation) and confinement of a person against his or her will. It can also be defined as false imprisonment by means of abduction, both of which are separate crimes that when committed simultaneously upon the same person merge as the single crime of kidnapping.

The abduction element is typically but not necessarily conducted by means of force or fear. That's the predator may use a weapon to force a victim into a car, but it is still kidnapping if the victim is enticed to enter the vehicle willingly example in the belief that it is a taxicab.

Statistics and Ransom
I’ve once posited that the name kidnapping was alien to my native Ghana. But things have changed. The social dynamics aren’t the same as they used to be a few decades back. Migrants from neighbouriing countries across Africa and people from outside the continent have obviously changed the narrative. Today, it appears any crime committed in say Nigeria can be done in Ghana.

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 Iraq grabbed that title with possibly 1,500 foreigners kidnapped. Mexico grabbed that in 2004 and in 2001 it was Columbia. Reports suggest a world total of 12,500-25,500 a year with 3,600 year in Columbia and 3,000 per year in Mexico around the year 2000. Statistics are hard to come by, say the reports.

However by 2016 the number of kidnapping in Columbia had declined to 205 and it continues to decline. The following are kidnapping hot-spots: Mexico grabbed the second and first spots in 1999, 2006 and 2014 according to stats showing 10 prone kidnapping countries.

South Africa placed 10^th in 1999 and 4^th in 2006. The good news is that she disappeared in 2014. Nigeria escaped the rankings in 2006 but wasn’t left out in 1999and 2014 placing 8^th and 5^th respectively. Mexico, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Libya, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sudan and Lebanon.

Criminal gangs are estimated to make up to $500 million a year in ransom payments from kidnapping.. Kidnapping seems to be flourishing in particularly fragile states and conflict countries, as politically-motivated militias, organised crime and the drugs mafia fill the vacuum left by governments.

Named forms
There are three named forms of kidnapping. They’re bride kidnapping, express kidnapping and tiger kidnapping. Bride kidnapping as the name suggests is a term often used loosely to include bride abduction against the will of her parents, even if she’s willing to marry the abductor.

The Express is a method of kidnapping used in some countries mainly from Latin America where a small ransom, that a company or family can easily pay is demanded. And finally, Tiger abduction is taking a hostage to make a loved one or associate of the victim do something e.g. a child is taken hostage to force the shopkeeper to open the safe. The term originates from the usually long preceding observation, like a tiger does on the prowl.