For Mrs Omolara Osunkoya, a Lagos citizen, December 8th 2023, would remain an unforgettable day in her life.
The dreadful event that began on that day ended miraculously on the 22nd of December, when “God indeed saved me from untimely death from the hands of ruthless Lagos kidnappers.”
Below is a brief but instructive narration of her very sorry tale to Ayo Kehinde.
EXCERPTS;
“I went out on that fateful day in December 2023 to get some materials and groceries at the popular Oshodi market.
I boarded a public bus at Iyana Isolo underbridge, heading towards Oshodi.
Immediately the bus took off, I sensed a strange odour but couldn’t place my hand on it and just pleaded the blood of Jesus in my usual manner.
“By the time we got to the second bus stop, I noticed that other passengers were already sleeping and as I was contemplating what to do, the guy seated by the door released a substance in my direction and that’s the only thing I remembered.
“I woke up late in the night in an uncompleted building with other people scattered about on the floor. I was tired and confused and could only sense the danger all around the place.
“I started pleading the blood of Jesus in my mind and praying for my safety to be able to see my children alive again.
“It was several hours later when a wooden door was swung open by the side and three hefty men came in, holding dangerous weapons like matchet, cutlass and guns.
“We were told to undress and start to identify our bags and belongings littered on the floor.
“Whoever was unfortunate not to have enough money at hand or in their bank account was doomed and will be beaten mercilessly.
“I was fortunate to have the cash, the one I was going to use to buy materials for sales. Everything was collected; my phone, wristwatch and jewelries that were on me. I was also given some painful slaps too.
“We were threatened with the weapons and one man was shot in our presence for lying that he did not have anything, yet it was discovered he had some cash in his inner trouser. He didn’t know we would be stripped naked.
” I cannot remember how long this took place, but I knew it was around early morning, though still dark. About three of us were asked to follow another team aside the ones that stripped us of our belongings.
“We trekked for another 30 mins into the forest with our eyes covered in black clothes and our right hands on each other’s shoulders lined in a file following a narrow bushy road.
“When we got to a T – junction, we were separated in different directions and told to keep walking and never to look back or else we would be killed.
“I kept walking for hours, not knowing where I was going, until I removed my face cover at a point.
“I was just going round the bush crying and praying for my safety when I saw a farmer who told me that I was in Ada Oshogbo in Osun state of Nigeria and he pointed the way to go to me with his eyes full of pity.
“I eventually found myself outside a dusty road and saw a cyclist (okada rider), who I believe God planted there for my rescue.
“He immediately picked me up and took me to a park. I narrated my ordeal and he gave me his phone to make a call because I had nothing on me: No money.
I called my Pastor who immediately transferred transport money to the Lagos-bound bus driver. That’s how I was able to return to Lagos amidst tears, fears and panic because of my ordeal.
“Up to today, I am afraid to go out or even enter any commercial vehicle.
“This is the pathetic state of life in some parts of my country today.
“The safety of her citizens has been largely compromised. Security efforts by governments are not yielding any significant result.”
