Traumatized Farmer Narrates Ordeal in Kidnappers’ Den, Expresses Worry Over Worsening Insecurity Situation In Ondo By Dally Iyamu 

Traumatized Farmer Narrates Ordeal in Kidnappers’ Den, Expresses Worry Over Worsening Insecurity Situation In Ondo

By Dally Iyamu 

A farmer in Ondo State, Mr Joseph Kayode Aladesuyi, has recounted his harrowing experience in the hands of kidnappers, describing his five-day captivity as traumatic and calling for urgent action to address rising insecurity in rural communities.

Aladesuyi, the Chief Executive Officer of Jutina Farms, Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area, was abducted on 9 March 2026 while at his farm.

Speaking in an interview, he said the incident occurred shortly after he arrived at the farm to inspect ongoing work.

“I had just arrived at the farm and greeted some bricklayers working on my pig pen. I went to sit in front of the house to eat when, less than 10 minutes later, I heard a gunshot and was hit in my left hand,” he said.

He explained that the attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed the premises, firing shots and causing panic.

His son, who was nearby, narrowly escaped after the gunmen shot into a room where he had run for safety.

According to him, the assailants abducted another farmer, identified as Mrs Akinlolu, before turning their attention to him.

“They told me to turn back or they would kill me. I asked why they wanted to kill others when they came for me. They then asked if I could follow them, and that was how they took both of us away,” he narrated.

Aladesuyi said he was forced to trek through forests across several communities, including Kajola, Bolorunduro, Alayere and Ogbese, eventually moving towards the Owo and Ifon axis into Edo State.

He added that despite sustaining severe injuries, including multiple fractures in his left hand, he was denied medical care throughout the ordeal.

“An orthopaedic surgeon later told me I lost nine bones in my hand. They had to use metal to hold it together. I am still in excruciating pain,” he said.

The farmer revealed that he survived on unsafe water during his captivity.

“For five days, there was no food. I drank water meant for animals. It was a terrible experience I would not wish on anyone,” he added.

He was eventually released on 13 March after a ransom was paid, following negotiations by family members, friends and community associates.

“The kidnappers had initially demanded ₦100 million”, he added.

Aladesuyi further alleged that the kidnappers claimed they were acting on information provided by individuals familiar with him.

“They told me the people who pointed me out are people I know, people who have eaten with me,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the scale of criminal operations within forested areas, alleging the presence of multiple kidnapping groups and abandoned farmlands.

“There are many camps in the bush. They don’t stay in one place; they keep moving with victims. I even saw dead bodies. The forests are vast and largely unoccupied,” he stated.

The farmer criticised the response of security agencies, alleging that his family was asked to pay money before any action was taken.

“My children said they paid different security outfits before they could even accompany them, yet they could not enter the forest,” he claimed.

Aladesuyi expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate efforts to tackle insecurity in the state, warning that the situation could have serious implications for food production.

“If nothing is done, there will be famine. Many farmers are afraid to return to their farms. Since my abduction, I have not gone back.

“My workers have reduced drastically, and my farm activities have suffered,” he said.

He called on authorities in the South-West region to collaborate and take decisive action against criminal elements operating in rural areas.

The victim, who was discharged from hospital earlier in April, said he is currently focused on recovery and has not decided when or if he will return to farming.

“I need to be fully recovered and be sure of my safety before I can consider going back,” he said.

Recent incidents in Ilu-Abo and surrounding communities have heightened concerns about insider collaboration in kidnapping cases, with residents urging the government to strengthen intelligence gathering and rural security.