Pastor Omotosho Oluwatobi Innocent, from Iwo in Kwara state, recently shared his harrowing experience of being kidnapped in an interview with BBC Yoruba. He described the events of that fateful day, recounting how he had just finished a vigil program and was accompanying some church members to their homes when he heard gunshots.
Suddenly, armed gunmen approached him and the manager of a nearby filling station. They forcefully took them into a vehicle and drove off. The kidnappers then transported them to a secluded forest, demanding a ransom of thirty million naira. Through negotiation, the ransom was eventually reduced to five million naira. In addition to the money, they handed over cartons of milk, malt, and cigarettes.
The pastor advised his people not to involve the police during the ransom delivery, fearing that it would provoke the kidnappers and jeopardize their lives. He explained that the forest was deeply secluded, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace their location.
Finally, Pastor Omotosho Oluwatobi Innocent mentioned that during his captivity, they were subjected to severe beatings until he pleaded with one of the kidnappers to stop. The kidnappers predominantly spoke Hausa, except for one who understood Yoruba.
