In a chilling account that highlights the dangers of kidnapping in Nigeria, Obinna Udemba, a businessman from Anambra State, recently opened up about his traumatic four-day abduction. His story paints a vivid picture of the physical and emotional toll that such an ordeal can inflict.
According to VANGUARD news. The nightmare began on December 10, 2024, as Udemba drove to his hometown of Ozubulu to oversee a construction project. What started as a routine trip quickly morphed into a life-altering experience when he noticed a Mercedes Benz SUV trailing him. Initially dismissing it as mere coincidence, he soon realized the gravity of the situation.
“I was driving my silver Toyota Corolla when I noticed the SUV following me closely,” Udemba recounted. “Whenever I sped up, they matched my pace, and when I slowed down, they did the same. It was unnerving, but I hoped it was just a coincidence.”
The situation escalated dramatically near Mmili John in the Idemili South Local Government Area. The SUV cut him off, blocking his path, and the kidnappers opened fire, forcing him from his vehicle. “They dragged me out and blindfolded me before throwing me into their car,” he said, visibly shaken by the violent encounter.
Once inside, Udemba had no idea where they were taking him. The kidnappers drove for an extended period, keeping him in darkness and deepening his anxiety. “They kept my eyes covered the entire time, so I had no idea where we were,” he explained. During his captivity, he encountered two other young men who had been kidnapped just the night before.
The kidnappers wasted no time in revealing their intentions: they demanded a substantial ransom for his release. “When they took me to their hideout, they asked how much money I had in my bank account. I told them I had about N2.2 million, but they immediately demanded at least N15 million for my freedom,” Udemba recalled.
The kidnappers quickly accessed Udemba’s bank account, withdrawing N2.3 million, but this was merely a fraction of what they sought. “They kept us for several days, tormenting us with the constant fear of what would happen if the ransom wasn't paid,” he shared, describing the psychological strain he endured during his captivity.
The conditions were harsh and dehumanizing. Udemba and the other hostages lived in a state of fear and uncertainty, their blindfolds preventing them from knowing their surroundings. “The only thing that kept us going was the hope that someone would pay the ransom,” he said.
Despite the grim circumstances, Udemba found solace in his faith. He recounted an incident when he was praying, only to be mocked by one of his captors. “One morning, while I was praying, one of them asked me what I was doing and ridiculed my belief in God, saying that if God existed, He would have saved me from this situation,” he recalled. “Yet, I kept praying; it was my only source of strength.”
After several days of negotiations, Udemba was finally released on December 14. His freedom came at a price, as his family managed to raise a portion of the demanded ransom. However, the ordeal did not end with his release. “On the day they let us go, they forced us into the trunk of their car and took us to a secluded area,” he explained. “They instructed us to face the forest and run while firing shots into the air.”
Once freed, Udemba and the other victims managed to find a tricycle that took them to the nearest junction, where they hoped to catch a ride to safety. “They dropped us at Igbariam junction, which made me realize that we had been held near the Umueri airport area,” he reflected, recalling the eerie sensation of hearing planes overhead during his captivity.
Although physically free, Udemba carries the emotional scars of his experience. The trauma he endured—the constant fear, the psychological torment—will linger long after the physical wounds have healed. However, his faith remains unshaken, providing him with a sense of hope and resilience.
In his reflections, Udemba noted a disturbing insight about his captors. “These boys have no belief in God,” he said, highlighting the stark contrast between his faith and the worldview of those who held him captive. As he moves forward, he remains committed to sharing his story, hoping to shed light on the harsh realities of kidnapping and the need for greater safety and security in Nigeria.