Kidnap victims in Edo State have recounted how they escaped from captivity after their abductors reportedly fell asleep following an overnight trek through the forest.
The victims, who were rescued from separate kidnapping incidents in Estako West Local Government Area, spoke on Friday at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City.
Speaking on behalf of one group, Braimah Destiny said he was returning from his farm when six armed men wielding guns and machetes intercepted him.
He said the attackers also abducted 10 other people before forcing them deep into the forest.
According to him, the victims were made to trek throughout the night as the kidnappers moved them from one location to another.
“We were abducted at about 6 p.m. and taken from one bush to another. At some point, we heard gunshots, which we believed were from the police. The kidnappers kept moving us throughout the night until they stopped at a hideout. They were exhausted and eventually fell asleep.
“That gave us the opportunity to escape. We ran to the nearest police station and reported the incident. They beat and maltreated us while we were in captivity,” he said.
Another victim, Mrs. Gloria Inyanugbo, said she spent four days in captivity after she was abducted while working on her farm.
She said the kidnappers demanded money after asking about the balance in her bank account, adding that her husband eventually secured her release after paying a ₦3 million ransom and an additional ₦300,000 allegedly requested for food, hard drugs and other supplies.
“I was kidnapped on January 12 while working on my farm. I remained in their camp for four days until my husband paid ₦3 million for my release. They also demanded another ₦300,000 to buy food, hard drugs and other items,” she said.
Mrs. Inyanugbo commended community vigilantes and the police for arresting some members of the gang, saying two suspects were initially apprehended by local vigilantes in the forest before police tracked down other alleged accomplices.
She said she was surprised that one of the suspects, who had boasted during her captivity that he was untouchable, was eventually arrested by security operatives.
