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Kidnappings Raise Fears Among Nigerians

Timothy Obiezu

   ABUJA - A recent wave of abductions in Nigeria is raising fear across
   the country. Unlike kidnappings which take on political dimensions --
   such as those involving militants who agitate against oil companies in
   the south, or Islamic group Boko Haram in the north -- this wave spans
   every region, and is driven largely by economic hardship.

   Thirty-two-year-old Olumide Peter was returning from an evening class
   at the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja when several men
   hijacked his car and took him away.

   "I tried to maneuver myself to open the door; they overpowered me,"
   Olumide said. "They hit me with a spanner [wrench] and some vehicle
   tools and immediately the guy came out with a gun. He said he's going
   to kill me."

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