Kidnapped NTA Journalist recounts her ordeal

Mrs Olubunmi Oke,a journalist with NTA(Nigerian Television Authority) and  a nursing mother who was kidnapped and released on Saturday, recounts her ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers : “I noticed a car following me at a high speed, so I had to increase the speed with which I was driving and I rolled up my glass.

“Very close to Jojein Hotel, Oba-Ile, the road was very bad. So I had to slow down to carefully maneuver through the potholes. It was at that point that they leveled up with me and I was double-crossed.

“I asked them what my offence was. I even offered them my car keys but three of them, armed with guns, dragged me into their car. One of them got into my car and drove behind us.

“They drove through Owode to FUTA and to Ondo.They told me they were taking me to Delta State but when we got to Ore, they blindfolded me.

“They blindfolded me from Thursday night till Saturday night when I was released. So it was impossible for me to know where I was.

“My housemaid and six-month-old baby were in the car with me. They dropped them on the road before driving my car away. They later got home in a public transport. I learnt they also dropped my car at Igbara-Oke.

 “At present, the car is with the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS. When I was released on Saturday, they gave me my car keys. I hope to get the car during the week.

Oke alleged that she does not suspect that anybody sent the abductors to her, claiming that the gunmen did not know her, but was only a victim of random kidnapping.

“Nobody sent them to me. It was a case of random kidnapping. I just walked into their hands. I do not want to believe anyone sent them to me because when they got me, they were asking me series of questions, ‘Where do you work?’ ‘Who are you?’

“I think that showed clearly that they did not know anything about me. I think the car I was driving coupled with the way I was dressed (I read news that evening; so I still had my clothes and jewelry on) made them think I was a good catch,” the nursing mother said.

Oke said she did not eat for the three days she spent in her captors’ den. She also affirmed that no ransom was paid for her release.