From Rose Ejembi and Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
If the confession of a suspected dreaded kidnapper, Samuel is anything to rely on, women in Benue State have become an endangered species.
They need to strengthen personal security if they want to stay free from harm.
Samuel averred that kidnappers would rather target a woman or a female than go for a man for some reasons: “Women display the least resistance while being abducted.
“They are very cooperative in custody. We concentrate on women because they are easy to abduct. Once we show them our guns or weapons, they get scared easily and we take them away just like that. Very easy.”
Luck, however, ran out of Samuel and his gang when they were tracked, arrested and paraded in Makurdi. His notorious gang included Solomon and Teryima. They were arrested on August 9, 2022, after successful exploits on three different women, raking millions from the deals.
One of their victims was the wife of former chairman, Vandeikya Local Government, Ibrahim Anor, released after nine days. Her abductors collected ransom from her husband.
Samuel regretted his action, especially the fact that his action led to the demolition of the house where they were arrested. The house belonged to former state Chief Judge, the Late Justice Iorhemen Hwande, whom he described as his uncle.
The flat of four bedrooms and a block of three rooms where they held their victims were subsequently destroyed in line with the provisions of the law. He told Daily Sun:
“He (Hwande) was my uncle. I have been working with his son for the past six years as a sales boy, selling tiles. I regret my action especially causing the demolition of his house. I will not do it again.”
In July 2021, wife of Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Ann Unenge, was kidnapped in Makurdi. It took the efforts of security operatives to dislodge the gang. The victim and her driver were rescued at Hudco Quarters, Makurdi.
Austin Onuoha, a commentator, decried the trend in the state. He admitted that kidnapping of women was not exclusive to Benue State, but a Nigerian phenomenon: “Monday, three Reverend sisters who were going for Mass in Imo state were kidnapped. The trend is also picking up in other parts of the country.
“Women are a little bit more vulnerable. Also, if you kidnap a woman, it is easy for the man to rally round resources to pay the ransom, unlike if you take on a man.
“But from security and strategy perspectives, women tend to be more manageable when kidnapped. With men, the slightest mistake you make, they will escape. Men can fight you and if they see a weapon, they can equally kill you. But when you kidnap a woman, the best she could do is just to cry. She will not even think of escape.”
Executive Director, Elohim Development Foundation (EDF), Victoria Daaor, said: “Government needs to redouble efforts regarding the security of life and property, especially as it relates to protecting women from harm.”
Governor Sam Ortom said the spate of crime in recent times inspired him to implement the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism laws to the letters:
“The implementation of the two laws was a proactive action to put an end to criminalities, kidnappings, armed robbery, cultism and bring peace to Benue State.”