October 31, (THEWILL) – Professor Adigun Agbaje, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Ibadan, who was abducted on Friday, on Monday morning, narrated his two-day ordeal in the den of kidnappers in the forest between Oyo and Ogun State.
Agbaje, who is on sabbatical at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, was abducted along with five other travellers on the Lagos–Ibadan expressway on Friday evening.
THEWILL earlier reported that Agbaje, regained freedom from his abductors on Sunday and currently undergoing treatment.
However, Prof Agbaje in a ‘Personal note of appreciation’ to those who worked for his release, issued on his behalf by his son, Adewale, confirmed that five people abducted with him are still being held by the kidnappers.
In the statement issued on Monday morning, Agbaje gave indications that he was freed after negotiation with the kidnappers, noting that, “you all kept hope alive and ensured that the sensitive negotiations came to a successful end when I regained freedom yesterday evening.”
The kidnappers had demanded N50 million to free Agbaje in a call to his family, hours after he was abducted.
However, the statement did not state how much was paid to the gunmen.
The statement, titled “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”, read:
“My father, Prof Adigun Agbaje, recently released by kidnappers, has asked me to issue the statement below on his behalf.
“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.”
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