Help! Kidnappers demanding N17m to free my brother — Sibling

Adewale Egbedi narrates to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI the pain of having his 28-year-old younger brother, Emmanuel, kidnapped on his way to an NYSC camp, the family’s ordeal and hope of bringing him home alive

What is your relationship with Emmanuel?

I am a civil servant based in Kaduna, where I live. Emmanuel Egbedi is my younger brother. He is 28 years old, lives in Kaduna and is a graduate of Nasarawa State University.

He was preparing to begin his National Youth Service Corps programme when he was abducted.

How did you hear about his abduction?

My brother embarked on a journey after he was mobilised for his NYSC programme. He left on August 5. While he was travelling, we called and spoke with him. The last time we heard from him was when he told us he was in Kogi State.

Later, we tried his number, but it was switched off. Early the next morning, a strange number called my younger sister. The caller handed the phone to Emmanuel. While speaking with him, my sister asked where his phone was and why he was using a strange number. That was when he told her that he had been kidnapped and was in the hands of abductors.

That was how we found out that our brother had been kidnapped. Immediately, we went to the transport company because the vehicle he travelled in belonged to the company. We met the manager, who confirmed that Emmanuel had indeed been kidnapped. We were also told that the driver of the bus had been killed.

How did the family feel when you received the news?

It was a terrible shock. It was not what we expected at all. We expected him to have a safe journey and reach his destination, but the opposite happened.

The news was devastating. Those who heard about it broke down in tears. Everybody was deeply affected because nobody expects a call informing them that a loved one has been kidnapped.

There have been reports of kidnapping in Edo State. Did the family have concerns about his safety before he travelled?

Normally, when someone embarks on a journey, you have confidence that they will arrive safely. Nobody plans to become a victim of kidnapping, and nobody leaves home expecting something like this to happen.

We knew about the level of insecurity, but when someone has to travel for an important reason, especially for something like the NYSC programme, you still believe the journey will be safe. Nobody prays to fall victim to kidnappers.

What was the first thing the family did after discovering that he had been kidnapped?

The first thing we did was go to the transport company to confirm what had happened and whether they were aware of the incident. They confirmed that they knew about the kidnapping.

We also contacted the relevant security authorities, including the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, and reported the matter. We wanted to ensure the incident was officially documented and that efforts were being made to locate and rescue those who were taken.

Do you know how many people were on the bus?

There were 18 passengers on the bus. Emmanuel was not the only person kidnapped. According to what we were told, several other passengers were also abducted, including other prospective corps members.

Have the kidnappers contacted the family for ransom?

Yes. After the first call on August 6, they called my sister again, using a different number. Emmanuel no longer had access to his phone.

What did they say when they called again?

They demanded N100m as ransom and told us to find the money. What made the situation even more painful was that while they were making their demands, they were beating the people they had kidnapped.

We could hear the victims crying and pleading in the background. It was not only Emmanuel’s voice we heard; other victims were also being tortured.

That is one of the most disturbing parts of this experience. Hearing your brother cry and knowing he is being tortured, yet being unable to help him is heartbreaking.

How often have the kidnappers been in contact with the family?

They are the ones who call us. Whenever we try to call the numbers they use, the lines are usually unreachable. They contact us whenever they want to.

Most of the time, their calls come between 8pm and 10pm. We have no control over when they will call, so whenever the phone rings during those hours, there is always fear about what we are going to hear.

Have you been able to pay any ransom?

No. We have not paid them any money.

Did the family negotiate with them?

Yes. Whenever they called, we tried to negotiate with them and persuade them to reduce the amount they were demanding. They initially demanded N100m, and we were able to bring it down to N20m.

However, on Monday, they said they could accept N17m. Since then, we have not heard from them again.

• 1,917 Nigerians sought Netherlands asylum in two years – Report
• Three Kaduna kidnap victims regain freedom
• Terrorists attack Niger mosque, abduct worshippers

Are you planning to raise the ransom?

As a family, we do not have the money to pay such an amount. That is why we have continued to speak out and seek help. Where is an ordinary family supposed to get N17m or even N20m?

The economic situation is already difficult. People complain every day about hardship, so where would a family suddenly find tens of millions of naira to pay kidnappers? Beyond the money, our greatest concern is Emmanuel’s life. We want him to come back home alive.

Have you followed up with the authorities? What steps are they taking?

Yes, I have continued to follow up. I spoke with the manager of the transport company on Monday, and he told me they had five suspects and were still investigating the case.

I was also able to get the number of the NYSC state coordinator. I spoke with him and informed him that some prospective corps members did not make it to camp because of the kidnapping incident.

We informed the security authorities that the incident occurred around Okpella in Edo State. We are hoping the security agencies will intensify their efforts and rescue the victims.

How has the kidnapping affected your family emotionally and financially?

Emotionally, nobody in the family has remained the same. The incident has affected everyone deeply, especially my mother. She became so distressed that she stopped eating and eventually had to be hospitalised.

Her reaction was that if her son was somewhere being held captive and possibly going without food, she could not bring herself to eat. She kept thinking about what he might be going through. That level of worry affected her health and led to her hospitalisation.

Financially, the situation has also taken a toll on us. I have been trying to contact people, follow up on the matter, and make calls. All of that costs money. There are transportation expenses, phone bills, and other costs involved as we continue searching for help.

What has been the most difficult part of this experience for you personally?

For me, it has not been easy at all. I am the firstborn of the family, so everybody looks up to me. I receive calls asking what steps I have taken, what I have done, and whether there is any positive development.

As the firstborn, I feel the weight of that responsibility. Everyone expects me to know what to do, but I am also a brother worried about his younger sibling. I am scared too. I am also waiting for good news.

Nobody in the family is emotionally stable right now. How can anyone receive news that a loved one has been kidnapped and simply continue life as if nothing happened?

Even my younger sister, who was supposed to write an examination, could not go because of this incident. How was she expected to sit in an examination hall and concentrate when her brother was in the hands of kidnappers? The situation has affected everyone.

What position does Emmanuel occupy in the family?

He is the third child in the family.

What kind of person is Emmanuel?

Emmanuel is a very calm and easy-going person. He does not look for trouble. He is the kind of person who avoids conflict.

When you are around him, there is hardly a dull moment. He is lively and can make people smile. Even when he is angry, he does not stay angry for long.

Sometimes, when he comes around and we ask him what happened, he simply smiles and says, “Is it the situation of the country that is making everybody sad?” His attitude is that things will get better.

That is the kind of person he is. He is not troublesome. He is peaceful and full of life. That is why it is particularly painful for us to imagine him being tortured.

Have you received any support from relatives, friends, your community, the government or any organisation?

No, we have not received any support so far. That is why we are trying to let people know what is happening.

At this point, we can only pray and continue to seek help. We believe God is in control, but we also need people and the relevant authorities to hear what we are going through.

What is the family most concerned about right now?

Our greatest concern is Emmanuel’s safety. Whenever the kidnappers call, they beat the victims while they are on the phone. We can hear them crying, including Emmanuel.

They also threaten to kill them if the ransom is not paid. That is what frightens us the most. We do not know what is happening to him when the phone is not ringing, and we do not know the condition he is in.

What does the family need most urgently at this point?

The most important thing we need is the safe release of our younger brother. Nothing else matters to us right now. We want Emmanuel to come home alive and safe. That is the greatest thing anyone can do for our family.

Life is more important than anything else. We are appealing to the authorities, organisations, individuals and anyone who can help to do everything possible to secure his release and that of the other victims.

We just want our brother back home safely. We want to see him, hear his voice without fear and know that he is safe. We want this nightmare to end. That is all the family is asking for.