I was abducted at police check point in Ondo, says Pharmacist

By Osagie Otabor, Bénin

A pharmacist based in Ondo State, Adeyemi James, has expressed disappointment over political will to halt activities of kidnappers in Akoko area of Ondo State.

Adeyemi said he was abducted in Akoko area in 2018 at a place very close to a police check point.

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He told journalists in Akure that he decided to speak out because his friend who was abducted in the same area last week was asked the same questions his abductors asked him.

Adeyemi said what was most disturbing was that policemen asked him how much he paid as ransom after he was released.

He said he was still traumatized by his experience at the kidnappers den until his family raised the sum of N2m to secure his freedom.

“I was returning from Abuja and after passing Kabba, I saw a man who was in Militray camouflage at a spot in Akoko area of Ondo State. He was armed and stopped me. I tried to reverse but five others came out from behind. I was burgled out of my car. They also used machete on me. They ransacked my car and took everything inside. Police check point was not far from there. Three of my abductors were in Army uniform. Others wore other uniforms. I was marched into the forest.

“I spent five days with them. They started with N100m negotiation and from there to N20m. They removed my sim from my phone and used their big phone which recorded all their conversation. They had a boss who used to come from outside to visit them. They spoke fulfide language. They said they were from Niger and was ready to take me across the border. They asked how much my car was worth.

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“When they wanted go collect ransom, they told my dad to come to Ikare. He slept over at Ikare. They asked him to enter the First Bank at Ikare. It was on the fifth day they told my dad to come to Akungba. They asked him to buy bread and some drinks. I am sure they had spies in those areas. They rigmaroles my dad through different places and later asked him to go to Ibillo in Edo State. They later asked him to go to Ikakumo in Edo State where I was eventually released. We climbed a rock to enter Edo State. We paid N2m ransom.

“When I went to retrieve my car, the police said I should wait. They said I should make a statement. They asked me how much I paid. I said that was not the issue. They told me they knew about my abduction but they could not do anything. I even settled soldiers that claimed they retrieved my car.

“I decided to speak out for awareness. It was worrisome I was kidnapped at police checkpoint. The kidnappers made attempt to know my worth. Two of my friends were kidnapped in that same area in 2017 and 2019.

“Security around Akoko area in Ondo State is porous. There is no political will to bring it to a halt. As at last week, a friend of mine was kidnapped at that area. They also asked him how much is his car worth.”