Some travellers abducted on Emure-Ekiti Road in Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria have been freed after spending days in captivity.
The victims, who were traveling in an 18-seater bus from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Ado-Ekiti, were kidnapped on Sunday night by gunmen.
The kidnappers initially demanded N30 million per person but eventually released the victims in the early hours of Wednesday after receiving ransom payments ranging from N1 million to N2 million.
The driver of the bus, Mr. Sunday Emmanuel, shared his ordeal, revealing that the incident occurred near Emure-Ekiti, shortly after the bus passed Eporo-Ekiti. Emmanuel disclosed that he was released after his family paid N1.5 million. Other passengers paid varying amounts to secure their freedom.
Emmanuel recounted that the abductors, who were heavily armed and claimed to be from Niger Republic, led them through dense bushes for days. He described their captors as familiar with the terrain, often using paths frequented by cattle herders.
The victims were reportedly fed only garri mixed with red oil and water. Despite the harsh conditions, Emmanuel said they were not tortured, aside from minor injuries sustained while being moved through the bush.
Two women, including a female corps member, were among the abductees. Emmanuel confirmed that all passengers had been released unharmed.
According to Emmanuel, the abduction happened just five minutes after passing a military checkpoint. He expressed frustration, stating, “Even soldiers at the roadblock not far from where we were kidnapped cannot deny that they didn’t hear the gunshots.”
The kidnappers, armed with machine guns and extra ammunition, claimed their weapons were military-grade.
The victims were eventually abandoned in the Ago Paanu area near Owo, Ondo State, where local residents assisted them.
