According to a report by Punch Newspaper on Sunday, March 29, 2026, a Twenty-six-year-old Gbolahan Olaniyi recounted his harrowing experience of being held captive for 42 days after he was abducted while working on a farm in Ekiti State.
The ordeal began unexpectedly as he and others were taken by armed men, marking the start of nearly six weeks of terror and uncertainty.
Olaniyi described the fear and confusion that dominated his initial hours in captivity, as he struggled to comprehend the situation and what awaited him.
During the early days in the kidnappers’ hideout, Olaniyi faced extreme conditions, including lack of basic necessities and constant intimidation.
He recalled the oppressive atmosphere in the den, with armed men monitoring every movement and creating an environment of constant anxiety.
Communication among the captives was limited, and any attempt to speak out often drew threats or punishment, heightening the sense of helplessness that permeated their confinement.
As the days passed, the captives were forced to follow strict instructions from their abductors.
Olaniyi described how the kidnappers exerted control over even the smallest actions, demanding obedience in all tasks assigned.
He noted the psychological strain of the captivity, as the unpredictability of the kidnappers’ behavior made it difficult to anticipate what might happen next.
The sense of powerlessness weighed heavily on him and the others, as every decision was dictated by the abductors.
Olaniyi recounted a particularly terrifying incident involving one of the kidnappers’ victims.
During this episode, an operator was killed in front of him and another captive, leaving them traumatized.
He described how the killers forced him and the other man to carry the corpse to a nearby bush, an act that left a lasting impression of fear and shock.
The incident underscored the brutal methods employed by the kidnappers to assert control and instill terror among their captives.
The captivity continued to test Olaniyi’s endurance and mental resilience, daily life in the den involved limited movement, scarce food, and constant supervision.
Each day brought uncertainty about whether they would be released or meet a violent end.
He described the physical and emotional toll of the experience, including the struggle to maintain hope and the anxiety of facing possible harm at any moment.
After 42 days, Olaniyi finally managed to escape from the den, the exact circumstances of his escape were marked by careful observation and seizing an opportunity when the guards were less vigilant.
The escape required courage and quick thinking, as any mistake could have led to recapture or death.
His successful flight from captivity marked the end of a traumatic ordeal that left deep emotional scars.
Reflecting on the most terrifying moments, Olaniyi said, “That was the craziest day of my life. I was urinating on my body. I shivered and couldn’t move. I nearly died. After he killed the operator, the bandit told one other guy, who was also kidnapped, and me that we should carry his corpse to the nearest bush behind where we were, drop it there, and come back.” Read_More…