Nigerians Kidnap Nigerians In Malaysia …Demand as Much As $10,000 –Envoy

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Amb. Peter Anegbeh, has decried the increasing rate of kidnapping of “Nigerians by Nigerians’’ in Malaysia.

He told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that hostage-taking was being carried out by some Nigerian students “with a view to getting ransom from families of their victims, demanding  as much as 10,000 dollars’’.

Anegbeh said that out of the 20,000 Nigerian population in Malaysia, 7,500 were students studying various courses, while others were professionals in the medical, academia and other fields.

He noted with regret that the students were also engaged in drug trafficking and cultism, among other vices.

Anegbeh said that last week, four students were arrested in connection with the kidnap of a new student, adding that the Malaysian authority had taken appropriate measures to checkmate the criminal activities.

He declared: “It is highly regrettable that out of the 7,500 students, only 3,500 are genuine, while some are victims of human trafficking being carried out by a syndicate in collaboration with some Malaysian nationals.

“Members of the syndicate deceive Nigerians into believing there are schools and job opportunities in Malaysia. However, when they arrive in the country, they get stranded and employ all means to survive.’’

Anegbeh said the development had impacted negatively on Nigeria’s image, noting that investors were growing reluctant to explore business opportunities in the country.

He said that some of the investors had been victims of Advance Fee Fraud (419), adding that the high commission had taken necessary initiatives to renew its confidence in Nigeria.

“I have been encouraging them to emulate Japan, Korea and China by trading in products that have ready market in Nigeria,’’ he said.

The envoy said relevant statistics showed that trade between the two countries had improved appreciably in recent time, with Nigeria earning more than 200 million dollars annually.

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria and Malaysia have a free trade agreement under the D-8 Commission.

The commission, established in 1997, comprises developing nations including Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran and Pakistan.

Its objective is to promote economic growth and development among member-countries.