‘I was fed with gaari for one month’

An octogenarian, Pa Akinyele Akerele, who was kidnapped in Igbobini, Ese-Odo Local Government area of Ondo State by gunmen on May 4, said on Thursday that the hoodlums fed him with gaari and flogged him every day throughout the period.

Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force secured the release of the old man on Tuesday and apprehended no fewer than seven suspects in connection with the kidnap.

Akerele said, “I was abducted by unknown gunmen from my home at Igbobini and was taken through the sea to Sapele in Delta State.

“I never knew I could survive the ordeal. I was taken forcefully and blindfolded till we got across the sea.

“As soon as we got to Sapele, they removed the blindfold.They fed me on just garri (cassava flakes) for the whole one month, I was flogged and beaten mercilessly especially when they realised that money was not forthcoming.

“Since my existence, I have never suffered as much as I did in the last one month in the kidnappers den.

“I was kept in a dirty place, inside the water; they change positions every two weeks while keeping eyes on me.

“When the Police came to rescue me, I was shocked and surprised but the armed uniformed men immediately identified me and told me it was over.”

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wole Ogodo, said that investigation was still ongoing on the matter.

Ogodo gave the names of the suspected kidnappers as David Iteli aka Police, Meetin Ebi, Omosola Olorujuwon, aka Jarule, Owei Yanboh, Toyin Asuluwon Emisa aka minister, Oluwafemi Asogbon, and Austin Shbija.

He added that police in the state were committed to fighting crime at all times and to ensure that the state was not habitable for criminals.

PUNCH