What should have been a simple journey home turned into a nightmare for actress and fashion designer Grace Sey, who was abducted while returning from a film shoot in Uyo to Calabar. She narrates how she spent 22 days in captivity and narrowly escaped with her life.
“I’m from Cross River State,” Grace began. “I’m a fashion designer, actress, and content creator. I’m married and blessed with four children.”
The Day of the Abduction
On April 18, 2025, after completing a film shoot in Uyo, Grace decided to return home to Calabar through the Uyo–Calabar waterway. Halfway through the trip, armed kidnappers in masks intercepted their boat, seized everyone on board, and took them to a camp hidden deep inside the creeks.
“They collected all our belongings—phones, bags, and clothes. At some point, they found ATM cards in one bag and accused me of being the owner. When I denied it, they beat me badly,” she recounted.
Life in the Camp
“There were 24 of us in total,” she said. “We slept on wooden planks in the open, surrounded by mosquitoes and stagnant water. After three or four days, they began calling our families to demand ransom.”
Grace said she spent 22 days in captivity before her release in May. “They released victims one after another depending on whose family could pay.”
Torture and Humiliation
She revealed that the kidnappers constantly beat her. “They hit me with the flat side of a cutlass, mostly on my buttocks. They mocked me, saying my body looked too perfect and accused me of having a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). They even threatened to burst it if I didn’t produce the money they wanted,” she said.
Grace explained that she had never undergone any cosmetic surgery. “They refused to believe me. They said actresses always have money.”
Conditions in Captivity
“The camp was isolated and surrounded by water and trees. It was built on wooden planks with makeshift walls and a roof. The kidnappers were always masked and armed,” she said.
According to her, they occasionally took her out to withdraw money. “My husband had transferred ₦200,000 into my account for a business transaction. They forced me to withdraw ₦50,000 daily—my Opay limit—until all the money was gone.”
Failed Rescue Attempt
“There was a day the Navy attacked them from the river. We heard heavy gunfire and lay on the ground, thinking rescue had come. But the kidnappers returned later and took us deeper into the forest,” Grace narrated.
Food and Water
The victims were given little food and unclean water. “We mostly ate cooked fish. The only water available came from the salty, dirty creek. We slept on bare wooden planks every night.”
Ransom Payment and Release
Grace said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦15 million. She was unaware of the exact amount her husband eventually paid but later learned he borrowed heavily to secure her release.
“Even after the ransom was paid, they didn’t release me immediately. A week later, they blindfolded us and dropped us at a small fishing village in Akwa Ibom. The villagers gave us some money—₦8,000 each—and helped us find our way back to Calabar.”
Reuniting With Family
“When my husband saw me, he broke down in tears. My children were so happy. He told me he had been extremely worried because I wasn’t released immediately after payment.”
Faith and Survival
“Only God kept me alive,” Grace said. “I prayed constantly. There were times I thought I would die there, but God heard my prayers.”
Lingering Trauma
Grace said she still suffers from nightmares and anxiety. “Sometimes I wake up hearing the sound of that cutlass in my dreams. The trauma is still there, but I’m grateful to be alive.”
She also described how large pythons often slithered near their camp. “The kidnappers said the snakes were their gods, so they never harmed them.”
On Safety in Nigeria
According to her, insecurity across the country has worsened. “Nowhere feels safe anymore, especially the waterways. The government needs to do more to protect people.”
Coping After the Experience
“I’m trying to be strong for my children. During captivity, I had heart palpitations, and they returned after I came home. But I believe God saved me for a reason,” she said.
Her Message to Women
When asked about cosmetic surgery, Grace responded, “I’ve never met anyone who had a BBL, but if it’s true that it can burst, I’d advise against it. Life is unpredictable—you never know what might happen. I only went to work and ended up kidnapped. We should love the bodies God gave us.”
