An Ondo graduate has recounted his experience after spending 40 days in captivity following his abduction on his family’s farm in Kogi State, despite having 15 security personnel stationed there.
Advertisment
Speaking during an interview with PunchNewspaper, he explained that he never expected the incident because an army base was located near the farm’s entrance.
Advertisment
He recalled riding his motorcycle into the farm one morning when he noticed their tractor was facing the wrong direction. As he approached to investigate, armed men surrounded him and threatened to shoot him.
Advertisment
He surrendered and discovered that three other victims and his tractor operator had also been captured. The operator had reportedly been shot in the arm.
The kidnappers took the five of them into the forest, where they endured beatings, torture, hunger and nights on bare ground. They survived on roasted maize, yam harvested from farms and river water.
Advertisment
On the fifth day, the kidnappers contacted their families to demand ransom. By the eighth day, they demanded ₦15 million for his release. However, his tractor operator was killed after his family could not afford the ransom.
Advertisment
After 22 days, he was transferred to another group that demanded an additional ₦55 million.
Advertisment
His mother eventually raised ₦2 million, which the kidnappers accepted on the 40th day.
Advertisment
In a dramatic turn, an errand boy who cooked for the captives reportedly received ₦15,000 from the ransom before abandoning the kidnappers and leaving behind the key to their handcuffs.
Advertisment
The captives used the opportunity to free themselves and escape. After walking through the forest for three days, they reached Isanlu-Esa, where they found an army base.
Advertisment
Reflecting on the aftermath, the man disclosed that his family had been forced to borrow money and now lives in an uncompleted building due to the ordeal.
Advertisment
Watch the video below…
Advertisment
Advertisment
