Abimbola Stephen Arayeni, a 35-year-old Senior Supervisor at an alternative textile company in Lagos, has recounted his harrowing experience of being kidnapped and held for four days in Adamawa State.
Abimbola, who was invited to Adamawa with a job offer, in June 2022 was abducted by a group of kidnappers who demanded a ransom of six million naira from his family. The kidnappers, who had already abducted the real Chief Amadi, used his phone to contact Abimbola and arranged for his pickup.
According to Abimbola, he was beaten and tortured by the kidnappers, who accused him of wasting their time when the ransom was delayed. He was also subjected to a drugged drink, which left him unconscious.
Abimbola’s family, who had involved the police, worked with the Adamawa State Command to track the kidnappers. The police eventually rescued Abimbola, who was found wandering in the bush, exhausted and confused.
The kidnappers had demanded that the ransom be hidden in two loaves of bread, but Abimbola’s brother had already involved the police, who arrested the kidnappers and recovered the ransom.
Abimbola, who is now receiving treatment at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, expressed gratitude for his survival, attributing it to divine mercy.
The police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident and have arrested several suspects in connection with the kidnapping.
