‘Kidnappers Killed My Co-Worker After Boss Under-Negotiated Ransom From N50m To N2m… Govt Paid N350m For Kidnapped CAC Kwara Churchgoers’
An Ekiti Farm Manager, who recently escaped from the kidnappers’ den has narrated tales of horror in captivity and the unexpected circumstances that paved the way for him to escape from his abductors.
Gbolahan Olaniyi, 26, spent 42 days in the kidnappers’ den after he was abducted on a farm in Ekiti State before escaping from captivity
He served as Farm Manager at the facility in Oke Ako, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
“They were seven in numbers with AK 47 rifles. They kidnapped me from the farm I was managing. They collected my handbag, farm book, phone and my 8000 naira i wanted to pay workers harvesting maize.
“They tied my hands with a rope, along the road, I saw my tractor operator, they had shot him in the hand. They took us through the forest and we crossed the river.
“They called my employer and demanded 100 million from me and 50 million for the tractor operator. On the fourth day, they had kidnapped more people and we were 11. My employer had blocked my line. I called my mum who called my employer, she raised 2 million for me and the operator.
“On the 8th day my family raised 15 million naira and took it to Egbe in Kogi State. They also gave them cartons of malt, milk, Black Bullet drink, two android phones, trousers, shirts, rice and beans.
“Yet, they didn’t release me, they said it’s remaining 55 million naira. I told them I am a labourer and my family is not the owner of the farm. They said I was lying and they kept beating me.
“The operator was shot twice because when they called his boss, he told them he could raise only 2 million. I urinated on my body. I shivered and couldn’t move.
‘Their leader told me and one other victim to carry his body to the bush.
“On the 22nd day, they took me to another group. Of 11 of us, I was the only one left, others paid between million to 20 million before they were released.
“The new group were deadlier, they left us behind and went to Eruku CAC in Kwara State, they kidnapped 38 people.
“They returned with terrifying sounds of motorcycles, I was scared, I thought they were coming to kill us. They fed us white rice only once a day. The Kwara State government paid 350 million naira before they were released, yet, they didn’t release me.
“The leader met me again and told me if I can raise 2 million, they will release me, I called my mum and she said she would borrow the money. He gave his account and my mum transferred the money. Yet, he didn’t release me.
“The guy guarding us became angry as he was given 15,000 out of the 2 million, he dropped the handcuff key and torch and left the camp. That was how I escaped on the 42nd day.”
