Freed Victim Reveals New Tricks by Kidnappers

Matilda Omonaiye/

A young man who was released from captivity in Etche local government area of Rivers State on Tuesday has revealed one of the latest strategies used by kidnappers to lure their victims.

The victim identified as Abiodun Badmus on Twitter said he spent five days in captivity before he regained his freedom after his family paid an undisclosed amount as ransom.

According to a post he shared via his handle, @iam_AbiodunB, kidnappers now track potential victims through the information they share online, especially artisans, traders and those who work in the construction industry.

He said the kidnappers would pretend to be inviting their target for a job or business deal and claimed that they saw the contact details online. They will then wait to abduct the person immediately he or she shows up.

He warned that people who advertise their businesses on social media, especially on specialised platforms such as Jiji, are particularly vulnerable to this trick.

He also lamented the plight of another victim, a 200 level Computer Science student of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Ogbonna Emmanuel Valentene, who was still in their custody.

He wrote, “I was kidnapped on 22/02/2020 in Rivers State. I was released yesterday after my ransom was paid by my friends and family. Today am back home with my family Thank God for my life.

“Pls if anybody call(s) you for job in Rivers State, (saying) that they got your number from jiji or Facebook, or any social media (platform), pls and pls try and verify the person’s indentity before travelling to Rivers State.

“A guy name(d) Ogbonna Emmanuel Valentene is still in their custody. He is a student of Federal University, Otuoke in Bayelsa State, 200L, Computer Science. I pray the guy regain(s) his freedom too.”

See his tweet below:

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