A kidnap survivor, Bayo Omoniyi, has recounted the brutal treatment he allegedly suffered during his captivity in a forest in Ifira, Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Omoniyi said his abductors repeatedly assaulted him, subjected him to exhausting treks and threatened to kill him while he was held in the forest.
According to the survivor, the captors also exposed their victims to harsh weather, forcing them to spend nights in the open whenever rainfall occurred.
He said food was severely limited during the period, revealing that the abductors sometimes gave the captives only small quantities of garri to survive on.
“While in the forest, they beat me thoroughly and made us trek long distances until we became weak and exhausted,” Omoniyi said.
He added that the experience became more frightening because of the constant threats to his life, as well as what he described as sexual abuse while in captivity.
“There were occasions when they threatened to kill me. What I went through in that forest is something I will not easily forget,” the survivor recounted.
Omoniyi appealed to the government to strengthen security measures and impose tougher sanctions on kidnappers, saying stronger punishment could help deter others from targeting innocent Nigerians.
“Government needs to do more and make the laws against kidnapping more stringent so that those involved will know that there are serious consequences for their actions,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents, sympathisers and well-wishers have continued to visit Omoniyi at his home in Ipinran, Ifira Akoko, following his return from captivity, offering support and celebrating his safe arrival.
