Five students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Saapade have opened up about their kidnapping ordeal. What started as a simple trip for food turned into a nightmare on the Isara-Ode road.
The abduction happened in Remo North local government area last Tuesday. Visibly shaken but relieved to be alive, the rescued youths detailed their terrifying experience to our reporters.
Four male students and one female were traveling in an ash-coloured Toyota when armed gunmen stopped them. The attackers used torchlight signals to force the vehicle to halt on a bridge.
Twelve gunmen in total overpowered the students, police say. They smashed car windows, stole phones, necklaces, and other valuables before forcing everyone out.
Victims were then marched three hours deep into thick bush. Only then were they allowed to sit and contact their families for ransom.
One student, who asked to be called Taye, described the moment in a faint voice. "We were coming from the restaurant when they stopped and attacked us," he recounted.
The kidnappers posed as security officials using torchlight to trick them, Taye explained. A gunshot rang out moments after they realized what was happening.
The abductors demanded 20 million naira from each captive. According to Taye, they pointed guns at the students and threatened to kill them if the money wasn't paid.
Survivors believe their attackers knew the area intimately. One victim identified the kidnappers as Fulani men familiar with the local community.
A tense moment erupted in the bush when one student mentioned their ethnicity. The gunmen became enraged and pointed weapons at him after hearing the word "Fulani."
"The kidnappers are Fulani who know the whole community and vicinity," one victim insisted to our reporters. He emphasized this detail proved they were locals, not outsiders.
The ransom demands weren't uniform across all captives. Three students were each asked for 20 million naira, sources say.
But the car's driver and owner faced a harsher fate. Gunmen shot him in the leg and demanded 40 million naira—double what others were asked.
This kidnapping came barely two days after another attack nearby. Gunmen had targeted students at the College of Engineering, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ibogun campus.
Police responded quickly once notified of the abduction. A patrol team found the abandoned vehicle riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police spokesperson, confirmed officers deployed to the scene. He noted the visible evidence of the violent encounter at the location.
