Date: 2021-11-24

200-level student of the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo State, identified only as Bolu, who was abducted in Akure, the state capital, and was released some days ago, said he saw hell in captivity.

The victim said he and other captives spent two weeks in the den of the bandits, adding that they were fed with raw cassava and maize.

Bolu said the kidnappers took them from Akure, Ondo State, to Kwara State, through Kogi and Kwara states.

He said, "Two weeks ago, we were returning from Lagos State. As we got to Akure, we ran into a checkpoint mounted by soldiers. They checked our vehicle and asked us to stay inside our car. After some minutes, they said we should follow them to the barracks. They also took people in six other vehicles.

"A man that was coming to Akure with his new wife was also kidnapped. They diverted us to Ekiti and from there to Kwara State. We spent two weeks with them inside the forest. We paid ransom before we were released.

"We stopped at Oyin in Ekiti and trekked to Kabba in Kogi State. From Kabba, they put us in a car and took us to Kwara State. We didn’t know where we were. We drank water from the stream and any available water. We only ate raw cassava and maize.

"They beat us and threatened to kill us. We were moved from one place to another inside the forest. I didn't know the language they were speaking, but their hair was different from ours. They were dressed in full army uniform. They even had an army van parked by the roadside.

"It was one of our brothers that brought cash (ransom). They refused to collect the money through a bank transfer. They collected the ransom in Kwara State. It was one of them that told us we were at Umu Aran in Kwara State after we were released. He gave us N1,500 to board a vehicle back to our destination."

Asked if the matter was reported to the police, Bolu said, "I have not gone to a police station to report since we paid ransom. My brother that was kidnapped with me just left the hospital."