Gonoh Michael, a farmer and furniture maker from Okpella in Edo State, has shared his ordeal after spending 12 days in the custody of kidnappers. He described the experience as terrifying, marked by hunger, cold nights, and constant fear.
Michael, who is in his late 30s, said he lived a peaceful, hardworking life before the incident. On the morning of October 28, 2025, he was working on his farm when nine armed men suddenly surrounded him and dragged him into the forest. By the end of the day, six farmers had been abducted from different locations.
He said he realised instantly that it was a kidnapping, especially after seeing the weapons the abductors carried. They marched the captives deep into the forest, where sunlight barely reached and the terrain was harsh.
For the first three days, the kidnappers gave them no food. When they eventually received small portions of garri, it offered slight relief. The captives slept on the bare ground, battled mosquitoes, and endured cold nights with no blankets. According to him, the kidnappers were aggressive and repeatedly threatened them while demanding ransom from their families.
Despite the harsh conditions, he said the captives encouraged one another and prayed together. He credited his survival to his faith and determination to see his family again.
Michael said they regained their freedom after their relatives and community raised N4.5 million along with crates of malt, crates of milk, and new bags. The abductors escorted them part of the way, then instructed them to walk toward a river, where they later met men on motorcycles who helped them reach safety.
He described the moment of freedom as overwhelming, noting that he was physically weak and emotionally drained.
Michael said all the victims are receiving medical attention, though recovery varies. He added that while he is gradually healing, he still reflects deeply on the experience but does not feel the need for professional psychological help.
He emphasised that kidnappings have become frequent in Okpella, with fresh incidents occurring regularly. He urged the government to urgently deploy more security forces, work with vigilantes, and use drones to track criminal groups hiding in the forests. He warned that residents now live in fear, farms are being abandoned, and hunger is worsening.
His hope, he said, is for peace to return to Okpella so that people can work, sleep, and live without fear.
