A Nigerian, John Mademo, has expressed his sorrow over the passing of his friend who was killed by kidnappers after having paid the necessary ransom for his release.
Mademo who made this known in a Facebook post disclosed that the deceased, Owo Monday, 36, was laid to rest on Monday, December 19, 2022, in Woleche-Ebo, Yaya Local Government Area of Cross River State.
He said, “I was shocked when I heard that you were kidnapped and despite all efforts made to pay the ransom, they still went ahead to take your life.
“Owolabi, as you were fondly called, your demise has created an indelible mark on my mind, but it is my earnest prayer that God should give me the fortitude to bear it.
“Monday was an easygoing personality, very humble and humane. As your death touched every youth and the entire people of Woleche-Ebo and beyond, I believe it has already touched God and he will handle your matter.
“And to the Kidnappers, you will never see peace in your lives, and the wrath of God is awaiting you on the last day,” he added.
The flourishing kidnap-for-ransom enterprise, which has assumed an industrial dimension and the status of a sub-sector of the economy, is one of today’s Nigeria’s mysteries.
According to a recently published report by SBM Intelligence titled “The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry”, about N653.7 million was paid as ransom in Nigeria between July 2021 and June 2022. More than 500 incidents were recorded, and 3,420 people were abducted across the country, with 564 others killed in the violence associated with kidnapping in one year.
In a similar incident, SaharaReporters had also reported a Nigerian man who did not mention his name recounted in a video how he escaped from being killed by suspected armed kidnappers who abducted him and other passengers in a commercial bus at the Lekki-Ikoyi axis of Lagos state in November 2022.
Narrating his ordeal with bruises and blood on his nose and mouth, the man who said he has facilities in Ajah, Jakande, Elegosi, Marariwa or Banana Island that provide skate coaching services daily, said he had a lot of sessions and thereafter was tired.
According to him, he decided to board a commercial bus but noted something unusual immediately after he entered the vehicle.