An Ondo-based entrepreneur, Mr. Olanrewaju Oyeleye, who recently returned from abroad to invest in agriculture, has revealed the harrowing ordeal he endured after being kidnapped by armed Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State. In a chilling account of his abduction, Olanrewaju disclosed that he was forced to pay a ransom of N25 million to secure his release.
Olanrewaju, alongside his farm manager, was abducted on a Friday morning while on his way to his farm located in the Abo-Ashakin area of Akure North Local Government Area. The kidnapping took place in the Oba-Ile area, which is situated near the Akure Airport. This incident occurred on the same day his wife had given birth to twins, adding to the emotional toll on his family.
Recounting the terrifying details of his abduction, Olanrewaju stated that he was driving his Toyota Camry when his car was suddenly blocked by a group of five to six armed men. The kidnappers, wielding AK-47 rifles, ordered him to stop. When he attempted to reverse, they opened fire on his car, with gunshots raining down relentlessly. Olanrewaju described the terrifying moment, saying he lost count of how many times they shot at him.
Realizing he had no chance of escaping, Olanrewaju surrendered. The kidnappers then dragged him and his farm manager into a dense forest, where they were forced to walk all night to an unknown location. For the next five days, Olanrewaju and his companion endured a nightmare as they were subjected to brutal physical abuse and psychological torment.
He explained that his captors, who identified themselves as members of a group they referred to as “the Mafia,” had no fear of the authorities. “They boasted that they feared no one, not even the military,” Olanrewaju said. The kidnappers also made repeated calls to various individuals, demanding supplies, including weapons, which they received at different locations in the forest. Olanrewaju suggested that the criminals were well-organized and had a network of support, including powerful figures who helped them in their criminal activities.
During his captivity, Olanrewaju was severely beaten. He recalled that every morning, the kidnappers would begin by hitting him with cutlasses, striking his head and back. Despite his suffering, they continued to demand an outrageous ransom of N100 million, a sum far beyond what he could afford. When he insisted that he did not have that much money, the kidnappers increased their violence, further torturing him.
After days of extreme physical abuse, mental stress, and near starvation, Olanrewaju’s family managed to negotiate the ransom down to N25 million. This amount was eventually delivered to the kidnappers in Ise-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Although he was released after the payment, Olanrewaju’s sense of security was shattered.
“I am now living in fear,” he said. “Yesterday, as I was heading home, I was terrified. Today, stepping outside, I am still scared. If they could kidnap me in daylight, what could happen at night?”
His traumatic experience has left him in constant fear for his safety and well-being. Olanrewaju’s abduction is a stark reminder of the growing insecurity across many parts of Nigeria, especially in the southern regions, where criminal gangs and armed groups have become increasingly bold.
Olanrewaju has called for urgent action to address the rising tide of kidnappings and other forms of violence in the country. He specifically called on the government to overhaul the nation’s security architecture, equip law enforcement agencies with modern technology, and strengthen community policing efforts. He believes that these measures are crucial to curbing the growing trend of abductions, which continue to terrorize communities and disrupt the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas, have raised alarm among citizens. Over the past few years, armed groups, including Fulani herdsmen, have been linked to numerous abductions in the country. These groups often target individuals traveling along highways, business owners, and farmers, demanding large sums of money for their release.
In recent months, the increasing audacity of kidnappers has been a cause for concern, with many abductions occurring in broad daylight. The situation has worsened in states like Ondo, Ekiti, and other southern states, where local businesses, including farms and farms managers, have become prime targets.
Mr. Olanrewaju’s abduction highlights the widespread insecurity in Nigeria, and his call for better security measures comes at a time when many citizens are questioning the effectiveness of the nation’s law enforcement agencies in dealing with the growing menace of kidnapping. Experts suggest that a more coordinated approach involving modern surveillance tools, improved intelligence gathering, and enhanced law enforcement presence in vulnerable areas could be key to fighting this crime.
In the aftermath of Olanrewaju’s abduction, many residents of Ondo State and surrounding areas have expressed their concerns about the lack of adequate security, particularly on rural roads. The fear that ordinary citizens could be targeted at any time has left many feeling unsafe in their own communities.
Mr. Olanrewaju’s experience also serves as a stark reminder of the emotional and psychological toll that abduction takes on both the victims and their families. While the financial cost of ransom is often devastating, the lasting trauma that victims endure can have far-reaching consequences on their mental and emotional well-being.
This latest incident of kidnapping highlights the urgent need for the Nigerian government to take decisive action to tackle the growing insecurity in the country. Citizens, particularly those in rural areas, are calling for a stronger security presence to protect them from the threats posed by armed criminal gangs and kidnappers.