Kidnappings have been the most urgent security concern in recent times, posing a serious threat to the northwest area of Nigeria and the entire nation. Numerous lives and priceless belongings have tragically been lost as a result of this disaster. Oluwakemi Tope Oladeji, a recent victim who was set free after ten terrifying days in captivity, talks about her horrific experience at the hands of her kidnappers in this interview with OLAOLU JOSEPH.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Oluwakemi Tope Oladeji, and I was born on November 9, 1983. I am Christian. I studied at Osun State College of Technology and graduated with a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance. I married on October 16, 2008, and together we raised our four kids. I’m an entrepreneur. At both retail and wholesale prices, I sell paints and painting supplies.

How did you get kidnapped?

In the early hours of March 1, 2018, a Thursday, it happened. My last child was dropped off at the daycare and my first three children at school. I returned home and was just about to pull into my compound when three armed, masked individuals speaking Hausa suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They began abusing me severely and threatening to kill me if I didn’t comply. I was blindfolded as soon as I got into their car, and they drove for more than five hours. They used a rope to bind my hands.

Upon arrival, I was instructed to pull off all my clothes, and they collected all my belongings. I was so scared and threatened. I met more than 20 other people who were already kidnapped, both men and women and they were almost all naked. There was no electric light and no network reception. They used firewood and local lanterns. My abductors were all men. They took turns to rape me daily. They said I must moan whenever they were raping me. They pressed down my neck and throat to weaken me and make me succumb to their lust every time. It was an endless suffering filled with torture, beating, and trauma. I wished they would just shoot me dead.

They told me if my ransom was paid and I was released, they would come to kidnap me again. They fed us their local drink called Kunu once a day.

One of the days, they brought some young girls. I was a bit relieved. Three were killed and thrown into a pit immediately because there were not complying. They raped and killed the victims almost every day. Once you misbehaved or refused to cooperate or were unable to reach out to your family, you’re dead.

They were so confident nobody could locate them. All of them were always armed with guns, local charms, and other dangerous items.

For ten days, you were detained in the jungle. How would you describe life in the forest with the kidnappers?

It was terrible. I can’t imagine any reasonable person doing that to a fellow human. Even the threats were enough to give one heartache. They kept beating, shouting and insulting us, saying our families were poor.

It was just God. I was exposed to rain and cold while in the forest for those days. There were times I was without food for days. While I was disturbed and worried about the situation of my family back home, one of the kidnappers told me to accept all that happened as fate. Just one of them spoke African English (pidgin) with me but they spoke Hausa/Fulani language among themselves. One of them told me that they were trying to reach out to my family to demand a ransom of 5 million naira but due to poor network, they were unable to reach out. They threatened to kill me if they didn’t reach any member of my family. It was a horrible place. I heard gunshots every day.

How did you escape?

On the tenth day, after my husband and my mum has taken the ransom to an uncompleted building at an unknown destination, just as the kidnappers instructed them.

Besides, there was a particular victim among us from whom they collected a huge ransom from their family, they appeared to be satisfied, and so they chose to set free those who their ransom has been paid which I happen to be among. They covered my face and placed me on a bike, and we spent hours riding around the wilderness.

After I got off, they put me in a car, and we traveled for an additional hour. They asked me to come down and take off my blindfold when they reached a certain location. After about thirty minutes of walking and running, I came upon a hunter who gave me directions to their king’s home. Saki is the name of the location in Oyo State. After giving me some clothes, they sent someone to drive me to the parking lot so I could take a bus to Ibadan.

What was the ransom amount paid by your family?

My family settled for 5 million. Although they requested for 20 million initially but after my husband and mother pleaded and they accepted 5M. They asked them to bring the money in cash and drop it at an uncompleted building in a bush just as described to them.

However, on the final day, they told me that I am not really free and that, since they had all of my information, they would return to kidnap me.

I am only lucky to still be alive now. A lot of people were killed there.

How do you feel seeing your family again?

I am overjoyed. Nothing compares to the freedom we enjoy. My children knew something was wrong with me, but I couldn’t tell them, seeing them again is by the Grace of God. I really missed my normal life with my family and everyone.

Did you seek medical attention following your release?

Yes, I did. After receiving multiple diagnoses, I spent five days at the hospital. Tests were performed on me for malaria, typhoid, and other STDs. I also went to see a therapist because I still get flashbacks from that horrible event every now and again.

What do you think is the cause of the increase in kidnapping cases in the country?

Poverty is a major factor contributing to the problem of kidnapping in Nigeria. The country has the highest rates of poverty in the world; with more than half of the population living in abject poverty.

This situation has created a climate of desperation, which has led some people to kidnapping for ransom. Poverty also limits access to education, which makes it harder for people to find legitimate work and can lead them to joining criminal gangs.