HOW-TO-GUARD-YOURSELF-AGAINST-KIDNAPPING

•  HOW TO GUARD YOURSELF AGAINST KIDNAPERS 

Dave Ikiedei Asei

09/01/2023

A person is considered kidnapped when they are stolen, or held captive until ransom is paid. 

TRUE MEANING OF KIDNAP 

Kidnap, from the words kid, "child," and nap, "snatch away," originally meant "steal children to furnish servants to the American colonies" and dates back to the late seventeenth century. The United States Congress established a legislation enabling the FBI to look into all kidnappings in the wake of the historic Lindberg infant kidnapping in 1932. 

The term "kidnap" now refers to all kidnappings, whether they include children or adults. Now in every part of the world, the act of kidnapping is rampant, that is why everyone should take serious the issues of kidnap as no one is safe anymore. These days even security agents are equally victims of this act which is one of the fast growing money making tools.

MORE CLARIFICATION ON KIDNAPPING

Kidnapping, often known as written kidnapping, is the unlawful seizing of a person by force or deception, as well as the unlawful possession and incarceration of a person against his will. The chief reasons underlying kidnapping are to subject the victim to forced labor, expose him/her to other crimes against the victim, or demand ransom in exchange for their freedom.

KIDNAPPING AS A TOOL FOR EXTORTING 

Using kidnapping as a tool of extortion by political revolutionaries or terrorists seeking concessions from a government has become more common in recent years. Everywhere it is considered a serious violation that can result in a hefty prison sentence or perhaps death.

Kidnapping is a heavy criminal offense so you should take precautionary measures to safeguard your family and yourself. 

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MINIMIZE RISK OF GETTING KIDNAPPED 

PAYING SERIOUS ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS/ENVIRONMENTS

• Pay close attention to the individuals and circumstances around your environment especially if you're in a strange or new location.

AVOID LONELY PLACES:

• Stay in a place with high population, with bright lighted areas and avoid strolling alone in the night.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN YOU ACCEPT FREE RIDES FROM UNKNOWN PERSONS:

You should accept free rides from people you know and trusted , or from licensed, labeled transport vehicles.

Always take transport from motor parks and registered points of loading especially in cities you are not very familiar with.

BE IN TOICH SITH YOUR LOVED ONES:

Make sure that someone you love and know very well know your plans and check with them regularly. That way, your whereabouts will be known and tracked just in case of any unfortunate situation.

TRUST YOUR OWN INSTINCTS:

If you feel uncomfortable or sense danger, remove yourself from the place quickly.

KEEP YOUR PHONE COMPLETELY CHARGED AND BE SITH IT:

 

Your personal phone can be a lifeline in an emergency situation, so do well to keep your phone on charge always and let it be handy. This is where pocking all the calls becomes imperative because you can never know who is calling and what information is coming to you.  It is advisable to pick all calls even from numbers that are not in your contact.

YOU CAN TAKE SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES:

At this time of great and terrible high crime rates, learning self-defense techniques can give you the much needed confidence and skills to protect yourself in a dangerous condition.

In concluding this article I want to emphasize that you also need to have a plan in place in case you are kidnapped. This might include identifying trusted individuals to contact, establishing a code word to use with loved ones to let them understand that you are in danger, and you should  keep important documents and information in a safe place.