Investigative journalist IBRAHIM ADEYEMIspent 17 days undercover in Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun to track the activities of nomadic herders turned kidnappers in the southwest. Accompanied by local vigilantes and hunters in combing thick forests in the states, he uncovers some of the hideouts of the criminal gangs, using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Human Intelligence (HINT) and Satellite Intelligence (SINT). His report points security operatives to the directions they should look if they are any serious about ending kidnappings. It also alerts travellers to the routes they must completely avoid or at least be wary of, for their own safety.
David Mayowa, a dark-skinned man, is camped in a thick forest in Ekiti State. He trembles and is in tears. His right shoulder, ripped by bullets, bleeds. He switches his phone to the left hand to make a call. His abductors order him to contact his relatives for ransom.
“How far?” a lady with a soft voice picks the call. “Where are you? Which side are you?”
“In the forest,” Mayowa responds. His voice breaks in rapid succession as he speaks to his colleague at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA), Ondo State.
“What’s the location? Can’t you see the place?”
Mayowa had sent a text about his abduction but his colleague still wondered if the message was from him.
“I sent it,” he replies. “They just gave me my phone. We have been walking since yesterday. We have not eaten since yesterday. My legs are sore already.”
“Who can we call?” the colleague asks.
“All I need now is money. I sent a message and added my wife’s account number. They will soon take this phone from me.”
“Oh, God! God will be with you. Hope you were not shot at?”
“Hello, ma. Hello. You dey hear me so?” the call ends, as one of the abductors speaks.
The airtime is exhausted!
BLAME NOT ONLY THE KIDNAPPERS, BUT ALSO THE POLICE!
