WATCH: Young man escapes alleged kidnappers by jumping from moving car

FEARING for his life while not knowing the intentions of two men who pulled him into their vehicle, a young Merebank man recalled how he struggled to free himself from the knife-wielding men and jumped out of their moving vehicle.

Lucky to be alive, Joshlin Naicker, 21, was allegedly kidnapped while he was walking back home from his friends house on Dinapur Road at around 22:00 on May 28, after studying for an examination.

He claimed a white Polo Vivo vehicle approached him and the passenger asking him for directions.

“I gave them the directions but the passenger jumped out and dragged me into the vehicle. They drove around Merebank and passed the house that they claimed they were looking for.

“It was only when the one of them pulled out a knife and asked me for my cellphone and money that I realised that something wrong. I opened the door and tried to jump out of the vehicle but the passenger grabbed my hand and held onto me.

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“I kicked and continued to try to get out of the vehicle. My legs were out of the car and once the man lost his grip of my hand, I jumped out on Badulla Drive, about 50 metres away from my home,” said Joshlin.

His mom, Pam Naicker, said the car stopped when Joshlin jumped off, but three men who were at the corner of the street who saw him jump out of the vehicle walked towards him, prompting the alleged kidnappers to flee.

Naicker added, “We have been living in the Merebank area for 28 years and this is the first time that we directly experienced crime. I am glad my child was able to escape and did not become a statistic. I urge parents to educate their children, no matter how young or old, on ways in which they can escape if they are kidnapped. It is a harsh reality, but we need to accept that crime is at an all-time high,” added Naicker.

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Merebank Residents Association committee member, Naresh Singh, who is tasked to handle safety and security in the community, said the escalating incidents of crime in the community has alarmed the residents and prompted role-players to focus on precautionary measures to curb the rapidly increasing rate of crime in the area.

Community activist, Yusuf Vawda, said with the high rate of crime, residents need take all necessary precautions to safeguard themselves.

“Crime and kidnappings continue to be major concerns and it is important that we remain vigilant to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Education and awareness is key in preventing these incidents from happening in our communities.

“I thank Wentworth police for assisting the family. Detectives have interviewed the young man and I am hopeful that arrests will me made son. A community workshop will be held to educate residents on criminal elements in the community as well as first aid so that they can actively respond in times of distress. Residents will be notified when the workshop will be held via the local newspapers,” he said.

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Community Policing Sub-Forum chairperson, Shamlin Govender, said residents need to report suspicious persons and vehicles immediately and urged parents to teach children and youngsters on what to do should they fall victims to crime.

Govender said the CPF has implemented street patrols as well as neighbourhood watches to rid the area of crime. He urged residents to assist by taking control of their surroundings and be more proactive by reporting suspicious activity immediately to police or via community safety chat groups.

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