Onoja Joseph, a young man, has shared his terrifying escape. He was abducted by kidnappers in Kabba, Kogi State. This occurred while he traveled from Owo to Abuja. He was among passengers in an 18-seater bus. Attackers ambushed their vehicle. They forced everyone into the bush at gunpoint. Joseph recounted being marched for hours. The terrain was difficult.
The Abduction Ordeal
Joseph stated they crossed many rivers during their captivity. “We crossed about seven rivers,” he recounted. Kidnappers pushed them deeper into the forest. This forced march lasted for nearly three hours.
He found a chance to escape at nightfall. He cautiously hid himself in the dense bush. He waited until the kidnappers moved ahead. Later, he sought help in a nearby village. He encountered three men there. He initially believed he was safe.
A Perilous Encounter
However, the situation quickly worsened. The men questioned him intently. They then reportedly contacted the kidnappers. They inquired how someone had escaped their operation. Joseph understood snippets of their Kabba language conversation. He quickly realized he was in further danger.
The men told him to sit and wait. Joseph requested to use the toilet. He used this as a second chance to flee. As he ran, he observed the men’s wives. They were reportedly praising their actions.
Joseph finally reached safety. He is now recounting his experience publicly. Security concerns are actively rising across the Kogi axis. This route has seen repeated kidnapping incidents in recent months.
In his own words, Joseph shared:
“My name is Onoja Joseph. I was coming from Owo to Abuja for my SIWES. We were inside an 18-seater bus when the incident happened. We were marched into the bush. For three hours, we crossed many types of rivers. We crossed like seven rivers. How I escaped was that when I saw everywhere getting dark, I managed to hide myself inside a bush.
When I later came out, I saw three men in a village. I thought I was safe. They asked where I was coming from. Then they started calling the bandits. They asked why they allowed someone to escape from the operation. They were speaking the Kabba language, but I understood a little of it. They told me to sit down and wait. But I told them I needed to use the toilet. That was how I ran away. As we were going, we saw their wives. They were telling them ‘well done’.”
A video shows Joseph narrating his ordeal firsthand.
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