A group of travellers abducted on Sunday night on the Emure-ile Road in Ekiti State has regained their freedom after enduring a harrowing ordeal at the hands of kidnappers. The victims, who were returning to Ado-Ekiti from Onitsha in Anambra State in an 18-seater bus, were taken by gunmen shortly after leaving Eporo-Ekiti.
The kidnappers initially demanded a staggering ransom of N30 million per person from the families of the victims. However, after negotiations, the victims were released in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with ransoms paid ranging from N1 million to N2 million.
Mr. Sunday Emmanuel, the driver of the bus, recounted the traumatic experience, stating that they were held captive in a remote area near Emure-Ekiti. He revealed that he was released on Christmas Day after his family paid a ransom of N1.5 million. Other passengers reportedly paid varying amounts, with some contributing as much as N2 million.
During their captivity, the victims were fed only Garri mixed with red oil and water, provided by three heavily armed bandits who appeared to be familiar with the local terrain. Emmanuel noted that while they were not physically tortured, they sustained bruises while being herded through the bush.
“All the passengers, including a woman and a female corps member, have regained their freedom,” Emmanuel confirmed. He described the harrowing trek through the bush, where they would stop to rest during the early morning hours.
The kidnappers, who claimed to have come from Niger Republic, were described as three men armed with machine guns, instilling fear in their captives. Emmanuel expressed disbelief that soldiers stationed nearby did not respond to the gunfire during the abduction.
“They told us that we can only get those weapons from soldiers alone and they have massive extra bullets,” he recounted, highlighting the power dynamics at play during their captivity.
The release of the travellers has brought relief to their families and the local community, but it also underscores the ongoing security challenges posed by kidnappers in the region. Authorities are urged to enhance security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
