Three year old child kidnapped in Nigeria

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

How scared must that poor girl be.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6272676.stm

so sad what is the world coming to?

It's sick. I dont know how people can be so cruel.

I heard my mum talking about this at the table when dd was sat there!

We head off on holidays tomorrow & my mum kept saying "Don't you go away from your mum or a bad man will take you...." etc

How many hard glares does a mother need to get her to stop scaring the crap out of the kids???

They kidnappers have said they'll release her if her father swaps places with her- otherwise they'll kill her. How terrible, She was snatched from her car and the windows were smashed when she was queing in traffic

You wouldn't even consider not swapping would you?

My DH would be there like a shot, as would I.

It took me about 3 seconds to decide that you would have to swap. Would anyone not?

Interesting the lack of posts on this kidnapping...

Three seconds...............really that long.

The police commisioner has told them not to. I am horrified as to the statistics for kindapping in nigeria

I don't know what the BBC thought was to be gained in broadcasting the brief interview with her mother this morning. The poor woman is obviously drugged up to the eyeballs and was barely able to say more than a couple of words.

Apparently the police have told the father not to deal with the kidnappers. Hopefully they know what they're doing. As you say, your instinct would be to be there like a shot but maybe they know that the most likely outcome is that they would both then be held.

I hadn't read the article - just heard on the radio...

""He wanted to go down for his baby, but the police commander told him not to."

The kidnappers then threatened to kill Margaret if Mr Hill did not come within three hours, her mother said. "

The police told him not to?!?! I know there is the whole not giving into ransom type thing, but when they don't know where she is, and there is a chance that she will be returned if he goes, surely you let him go?!?!

Bree.

I really hope that the little girl is not killed after the parents follow the advice of the police

I heard someone talking about this on the radio this morning and he said that of all the people taken in Nigeria, none have as yet been killed. I so hope that remains the case. Am guessing police have advised the father not to go because of the possible consequences - ie the little girl not being released and the kidnappers then being able to make more and more demands in the knowledge that they would be met over fears about her safety.

And why oh why is there not more posting on this thread? This child not so important then?

Have they issued their ransom demand yet?

Are they working with the negotiators?

I grew up in places where this was common and still is.

In fact, my dad, an 'oil worker' managed to escape being kidnapped himself twice.

When I first moved to France, four of one of my host brothers' Swiss friends were going to S. America for a holiday. I tried to warn them!

Two wound up kidnapped, but they were successfully ransomed and released unharmed.

Who is the father working for?

Does his company not have kidnapping negotiators on contract?

Saw this this morning- that they would kill her if her father did not trade places with her. Her mother spoke to her on the phone and Margaret was crying.

How bloody awful.

Hope and pray to God that they just want ransom money and will let her go.

I am also surprised that there is not much news around on this.

the guy on radio seems to be implying that it was about oil expat. I know shell has a lot of business out there - my dad was actually offered a job there a few years back but mercyfully he declined it.

My dad's worked sub-contract in Angola, wannabe, just before he retired. He's a retired petroleum engineer for Shell, but that assignment was sub-contract to Texaco, IIRC.

A lot of kidnapping there at the time. He basically didn't hang around much. Work, go back to compound, don't leave.

But yes, a colleague of his was kidnapped in Brazil years ago and even then, Shell brought in a negotiator and they were able to secure his release.

I'm surprised the kidnappers have not released their ransom demands, although perhaps they have and it's not been reported yet.

Perhaps they are already working with negotiators.

omg, really hope she is safe whereever she may be.

Does anyone know why the police sid they should not swap?

How awful.

I'd be wary of working with the police.

They really need a professional.

These things are often very successfully negotiated.

horrific for everyone
so
i heard the mum being interviewed this morning - gut wrenching

And where are Richard Branson and JK Rowling digging into their pockets to stump up her ransom?

I don't understand how anyone can put a child through this.

How could the police tell her dad not to swap? The report says this is the 3rd recent child kidnapping & the others were released unharmed after ransom demands were met so why is this one different?

The poor wee love must be terrified & her parents will be just about out of their minds

really hope this has a happy ending