A Nigerian businessman, Emmanuel Nyamson, has shared a chilling account of his nine-month ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, revealing that no fewer than 18 captives were allegedly killed while he remained trapped in the criminals’ forest hideout. The disturbing testimony has once again highlighted the growing insecurity and worsening kidnapping crisis across several parts of the country.
Nyamson narrated that his nightmare began when he was abducted by heavily armed men who ambushed him and whisked him away into a remote forest camp. According to him, the kidnappers initially demanded a staggering N100 million ransom from his family, threatening to kill him if the money was not paid. He said the criminals operated with extreme brutality and regularly tortured victims physically and psychologically to pressure families into meeting ransom demands.
The businessman explained that life inside the camp was horrifying, with victims subjected to hunger, constant fear, and inhumane treatment. He alleged that several abductees who could not endure the harsh conditions or whose families failed to provide ransom were executed by the gang. Nyamson disclosed that during the period he spent in captivity, he witnessed at least 18 people lose their lives, either through direct killings, torture, sickness, or exhaustion from the terrible conditions in the forest. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
He further recounted how the kidnappers frequently relocated their victims from one forest location to another to evade security operatives. According to him, the gang members were heavily armed and appeared highly coordinated, often discussing ransom negotiations and possible security movements among themselves. He said many victims gradually lost hope as weeks turned into months, while some families reportedly sold properties and borrowed huge sums just to secure the freedom of their loved ones.
Nyamson revealed that despite the terrifying environment, he never stopped searching for an opportunity to escape. He eventually regained freedom after what he described as a risky escape attempt during one of the kidnappers’ movements in the forest. His survival story has sparked renewed concern over the increasing boldness of kidnapping syndicates and the suffering endured by victims across Nigeria.
The businessman’s account comes amid growing reports of abductions, killings, and ransom demands in different states, with many Nigerians calling for stronger security measures and tougher action against criminal gangs terrorising communities and highways. Security experts and concerned citizens have continued to urge the government to intensify intelligence gathering, improve rural security presence, and dismantle criminal hideouts believed to be operating deep inside forests across the country.
