Professor Adigun Agbaje, a former Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academics) and lecturer in the department of Political Science, who was among the travellers who fell victim to the unfortunate abduction incident on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, has, upon his release, narrated his experience.
By Saturday, October 29, the day after the incident which was reported to have occurred around KM 24, Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday, 5 pm, the news of his abduction had become widespread and steps were already being made to raise the sum of 50 million naira ransom demanded by the kidnappers in exchange for his release.
The swift response of individuals with monetary contributions produced the negotiated amount which was paid to secure his release on Sunday, October 30.
In a statement titled ‘Personal Note of Appreciation from Prof Adigun Agbaje’ which was released and signed on his behalf by his son Wale Agbaje, on Monday, October 31, Prof Agbaje expressed that he was happy to be alive after spending “two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states”.
He went on to narrate how he was shot in the head by the kidnappers, but thankfully, the bullet which pierced through his car’s windscreen left only a “skin-deep wound” on his head and a gaping hole in his cap.
He expressed gratitude to the individuals and bodies that were directly involved in the negotiations and help that consequently led to his freedom.
“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,” the statement reads.
He also expressed his sympathy for the five other victims left in the kidnappers’ den at the time he was released whom he described as ‘two young female undergraduates, two young men, and a middle aged person”.
