Amina Audu, the former chairman of the Okpokwu Local Government Area in Benue State, recently shared her harrowing experience after being kidnapped on November 13, 2023. She recounted the traumatic event and provided details about her time in captivity.
Audu and her driver encountered the kidnappers on Naka Road around 9 am. They were led deep into a dense bush, away from residents, and held captive for four days. She described the eerie silence in the three communities they passed through, indicating that no one seemed to be living there.
The kidnappers, all of Fulani origin and dressed in army uniforms, were armed with various weapons, including cutlasses. Despite the language barrier, Audu explained that their leader had some grasp of English. The abductors confiscated their phones upon capture.
During the ordeal, Audu and her driver were the only captives. The kidnappers, nine in total, claimed to have more hidden in the bushes. Despite the difficult circumstances, Audu continued to pray and urged those around her to join in.
Food provided to them consisted of garri for the kidnappers and oranges and pawpaw for Audu. The negotiation for ransom started at N100 million, gradually decreasing to N50 million and N30 million. Audu mentioned that she personally negotiated to lower it to N5 million.
The day of their release took them through a different route than the one they initially traveled. Audu attributes their survival to divine intervention, comparing it to the biblical story of Daniel and the lions. The kidnappers did not display aggression, and Audu believes they were viewed as a business opportunity.
She highlighted the damage to her vehicle and mentioned that her driver was rough-handled and beaten before their release. Despite the traumatic experience, Audu called for caution on the roads, vigilance among the people, and government intervention to address the rising insecurity in Benue State. She also appealed for increased support and proper ammunition for security agencies to combat the escalating security challenges.