How we trekked for 14 hours in a dense forest – Rescued kidnapped victims
Four kidnapped victims rescued by the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit have recounted their traumatic experience, revealing how they endured torture and a gruelling 14-hour trek through a dense forest before their dramatic rescue.
The victims, Mrs. Carolyn Didia, Mrs. Ego Odu, Mrs Apollonia Ezekwe, and Mr Godwin Ezekwe, were abducted on Friday along the Obosima-Ohoba road in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area while travelling to Owerri for a wedding.
The kidnappers ambushed their vehicle, firing shots to make it stop. The driver, who attempted to escape, was caught and severely macheted by the assailants.
One of the victims, Godwin Ezekwe, narrated the horrifying ordeal, saying the kidnappers ambushed their vehicle from both ends, forcing them into the bush.
“I was on my way to Owerri on Friday evening at about 6: pm in a commercial vehicle with five other passengers for my niece’s wedding. When we were between Ohoba and Obosima, I saw some gunmen who started shooting at the back of our vehicle. As we drove fast ahead, we encountered another set in front and we had to stop. Our driver ran away after stopping the vehicle, but they pursued him, caught him, and macheted him.
“We were six, and they allowed two elderly women among us to go and took the remaining four of us into the bush, which looked like the Sambisa forest. We trekked from about 6: pm till 3: am.
“We got to a spot and were asked to stay there. That was how they started to beat us. They asked us to call our relatives and tell them where we were and that they should send 150 million. After a while, we all stayed on the spot and by 7: am, we started walking again till midnight on Saturday. The next place we got to, they discovered that people were passing there so we stopped again, and they slept off in the process.
“It was then that a hunter saw us and went back to the community to inform others.”
Ezekwe added that when hunters arrived, the kidnappers shot him in both legs before fleeing. He and the others were rescued and taken for medical attention.
Mrs Ego Odu shared her experience: “I was heading to my sister’s wedding in Owerri to cook for her. The moment they ambushed our vehicle, they forced us out of the vehicle and started to beat us. I was not familiar with the area they took us to. We just kept walking till this morning (Saturday) until we were rescued.”
Similarly, Mrs Carolyn Didia lamented the ordeal, saying, “They made us walk long distances in the bush, moving us from one point to another till morning.”
Read also: Police rescue 4 kidnapped hostages, arrest 17 for murder
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the victims were rescued on Saturday after a gunfight with the kidnappers. Two suspects were neutralised during the operation.
Police spokesperson ASP Henry Okoye revealed, “The Anti-Kidnapping Unit recovered one AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a magazine from the suspects.”
The victims are currently receiving medical attention as investigations continue.
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