My Ordeal In The Hands Of Kidnappers – Professor Adigun Agbaje; Fears For The Lives Of Four Young People

By Adesina Soyooye

A former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Ibadan, Professor Adigun Agbaje, has relieved a little of his ordeal in the hands of Kidnappers. He will tell the full story later.

Agbaje, a Professor of Political Science, currently on sabbatical at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, where he is The Chair of the Oba Sikuru Adetona Institute For Governance, was kidnapped on Friday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at about 6.00pm.

Agbaje was released Sunday evening after spending two gruelling nights in the forest with the Kidnappers.

Now in a hospital where he is undergoing full medical checks, he disclosed that he was shot on the head.

In a note of appreciation dated 31st, October, 2022, to his family, friends and colleagues who facilitated his release, which he authorised his son, Adewale Agbaje to release, Agbaje expressed deep concern for five other people who he left behind in the Kidnappers’ den.

The five people, he said,  are two young ladies (of same parents whose family say were on their way to a birthday Party), two young men, and a middle aged man.

His kidnappers had earlier asked for the sum of N50m as ransom money for his release, and the sum of N10m for each of the other five people. It is not known, yet, how much was paid to them before the Professor’s release. He was on his way to Ibadan when he was kidnapped.

Following is the full text of his statement,  as released by his son, Adewale.

LETTER OF APPRECIATION

Personal note of appreciation from Prof Adigun Agbaje, chair of the Oba Sikiru Adetona Institute for Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, and former DVC (Academics) of the University of Ibadan

“My father, Prof Adigun Agbaje, recently released by kidnappers, has asked me to issue the statement below on his behalf.

…..I was shot at the head

…..Am undergoing comprehensive health checks

“It’s a new day today and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states.

“My mind goes to the five others who are still left with the kidnappers: two young ladies, two young men and a middle aged person.

“I was shot at in the head during the abduction process. I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin deep wound on my head even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing. I did not even know about this till Saturday morning when I saw caked blood on my cap.

“I am undergoing comprehensive health checks and so it may take some time to thank all my family, including my in-laws, friends and in-laws to my children, my own friends, colleagues and all Nigerians.

“For now I want to thank the following former and current Vice Chancellors of the University of Ibadan: Prof Olufemi Bamiro, Prof Isaac Adewole, Prof Idowu Olayinka and Prof Kayode Adebowale, my colleagues at the University of Ibadan and other Universities at home and abroad, current and former students, including Mr Fisayo Soyombo, for their wonderful support and generosity to my family, top government, military, and other security officials. I am quite grateful for all your efforts.

“You all kept hope alive and ensured that the sensitive negotiations came to a successful end when I regained freedom yesterday evening.

“As stated earlier, my heart goes to those young female undergraduates, the young men and the middle aged person I left behind with the kidnappers. I may not be reachable now but as soon as I get medical clearance from my doctors, I will be thanking all of you personally.”