By Ovie Okpare
The chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, has recounted his experience in the hands of his abductors saying those who abducted him were ‘Fulani herdsmen.’
Ofobruku was abducted by armed wielding gunmen around 8pm on Saturday July 4, 2020 behind the Immigration office along Ibusa/Asaba road, Asaba, the State capital.
He was, however, released on Monday July 6, 2020, 48 hours after his forceful abduction.
The labour leader, while sharing his ordeal with NIGER DELTA TODAY Online exclusively, revealed that he paid an undisclosed amount of money before his abductors finally set free from captivity.
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He said although he was not maltreated or beaten by his captors, he had to walk with the hoodlums inside the bush from the time he was kidnapped until 6am the following day.
Ofobruke told NIGER DELTA TODAY Online that the kidnappers have a network of syndicates who work with them until their victims pay their ransom.
He explained that while the gunmen kept him in their hideout, their syndicates were monitoring the movement of his family members, who subsequently report information back to the gang holding their victims in captivity.
He revealed that for the two days he was held, his abductors did not give him food or water.
According to him, “I was abducted by the gunmen around 8pm that fateful day and we walked through the bush till dawn. They were nice to me. They didn’t beat me. We were just inside the bush even while it was raining. I walked from the time I was kidnapped till 6am the following day.
“There was no food and water. They just wanted the money. They said I should bring money and go.”
He further revealed that the gunmen who waylaid him and abducted him were three in number, but adds that, “ The ones I saw with my eyes were three but you know it’s a syndicate because people were giving them information as to what was happening in my house and all that.
“Even when were to pay what we paid, they were watching the person that was bringing the money. It’s a syndicate. The ones that took me away were three.”
When asked if his abductors were local kidnappers or Fulani herdsmen, he said “yes”, lamenting that they have taken over the bushes in the state perpetuating havoc.
“It’s true. I won’t say they’re Fulani herdsmen but they were people from that side (north). You know ordinarily, herdsmen are people that take care of cows but these ones were carrying guns. I spent 48hours with them in the bush without food and water”, Ofobruku stated.
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The Delta NLC boss, however, urged security agencies especially the police to tackle kidnapping in the state with all seriousness by raiding identified flashpoints.
“They have taken over our bushes. Police should not only stand on our roads; they should enter the bushes and clear all those places because when they (police) are on the road, the criminals are in the bush committing havocs. They should go to the bushes and flush them out.
“They (security agencies) know these places. I was discussing with a security man, he said they know the place they took me to. I said if you know, why don’t you clear the place of these criminals?
“They (security agents) should not only be on the roads but also check the bushes for criminal elements. If there are people in the bushes committing havoc, then security agencies should move in and clear those places.
“I paid an undisclosed amount of money before I was released”, Ofobruku added.
