A reporter with the Nigerian Tribune, Rukiyat Ogunwade, had a narrow escape from kidnapping in Osun State on September 26. She had traveled to Ikire to cover the CAC Pastors Conference and Annual Convention, where over 600 pastors were to be ordained. After arriving in Ikire, she hired a commercial motorcyclist to take her to a relative's house, where she planned to spend the night. The bike man, whose name is not mentioned, demanded N700, but they agreed on N500.
The bike man initially took Ogunwade through the main town, but then claimed that there was a crisis at the motor park and offered to take her through alternative routes. She agreed, but soon realized that they were going through deserted streets on the outskirts of town. The bike man made several excuses, including buying petrol, and continued to take her further away from the town. Ogunwade became suspicious and asked him where they were going, but he declined to answer.
As they approached a lonely street near a farmland, Ogunwade became scared and called her relative in Ikire, informing him that she had been kidnapped. The bike man demanded that she hand over her phone, and when she refused, he tried to snatch it from her. Ogunwade started shouting for help, and a struggle ensued. The bike man threatened to hit her with his bike, but she managed to evade him and continued to scream for help.
During the struggle, the bike man jumped on his bike and rode away, but then turned back and fell down with his bike. Ogunwade took advantage of the situation and ran to a nearby house, where she knocked on the gate and asked for help. The occupants of the house, three men and a woman, took her in and calmed her down. They told her that there was no crisis at the motor park that day and that the bike man was part of a group that deceived innocent people to rob or injure them.
Ogunwade's relative arrived at the house with a bike man, and they sighted the suspected kidnapper, who was waiting in a nearby area. The relative recognized the bike man's voice as the one Ogunwade had described during her ordeal. The incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists and other individuals who travel alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.
The Nigerian Tribune reporter expressed gratitude to the occupants of the house who helped her and to her relative who came to her rescue. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of journalists and other travelers in Osun State, particularly at night. The police have not made any statements about the incident, but it is hoped that they will investigate and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The near-kidnapping incident has sent a scare through the journalism community, and many are calling for increased vigilance and safety measures for reporters who travel to cover stories in different parts of the country. Ogunwade's experience serves as a reminder of the risks that journalists face in the line of duty and the need for them to be cautious and prepared for any situation.
Key points
- A Nigerian reporter narrowly escaped kidnapping in Osun State when a bike man she hired attempted to take her to an unknown location.
- The incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists and other individuals who travel alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.
- The near-kidnapping incident has sent a scare through the journalism community, and many are calling for increased vigilance and safety measures for reporters who travel to cover stories.
