Kidnappers On Nsukka Road Were Fulani But Also Spoke Igbo, Held Me For Days – Enugu Survivor Recounts Ordeal

A survivor of a recent kidnapping along the notorious Ugwogo Nike–Opi–Nsukka Road in Enugu State has shared a chilling first-hand account of his four-day ordeal in the custody of armed abductors, offering new insight into the methods used by criminal gangs operating in the area.

The victim, identified simply as Peter, was abducted on November 29, 2025, at about 5pm, less than 100 metres from the last police checkpoint before the Ugwogo Roundabout while travelling from Nsukka to Enugu. 

“We were having a smooth journey when suddenly I heard heavy gunshots in front of me and behind me,” Peter recalled. 

“Vehicles ahead rammed into one another. I slowed down and told my colleague to run into the bush while I did the same.”

His attempt to escape was short-lived. As he ran towards a nearby building owned by the Scripture Union, close to the Camp of Grace, he was confronted by an armed man

“I heard a loud ‘heey!’ with a gun pointed at me and I was ordered to lie down,” he said. “At that point, I took a deep breath and resigned to fate.”

Peter was dragged up moments later and forced to join other captives, marking the beginning of what he described as a “four-day nomadic lifestyle” through bushes and farmlands.

According to him, the gang comprised 11 men of Fulani origin, armed with four AK-47 rifles, machetes, axes and hoes. He said their leader, whom he described as authoritative and composed, spoke fluent English, Pidgin, Fulfulde and Igbo.

“Their commander was a mid-sized man whose voice carried authority. He coordinated everything,” Peter said

He revealed that the kidnappers were constantly on the move to evade detection, forcing captives to carry their belongings.

“They woke us up by 5:30am every day. We packed their food items, pots and the sacks they slept on, and moved before farmers arrived on their farms,” he said. “By 8pm, we moved again to avoid being tracked after ransom calls were made.”

Food, he added, was scarce and rationed.

“They gave us just one meal a day — rice cooked with red oil, yam harvested from the bush with oil, or garri to drink,” he said.

Peter disclosed that while he was in captivity, the kidnappers carried out at least two additional attacks along the same road.

On one occasion, he said the gang moved from Ogbeke bush to Agu Opi and settled on a hilltop overlooking the road.

“At exactly 3pm, after the commander’s watch beeped, eight of them left our hideout,” he said. “By around 5pm, we heard gunshots. Later that night, new victims were brought in, and the long journey continued.”

Based on his experience, Peter warned motorists to be cautious while travelling along the Ugwogo–Opi–Nsukka corridor, describing it as highly vulnerable, especially in the late afternoon and evening.

“The safest time to use that road is between 9am and 1pm,” he advised. “There are farms close to the bushes during that period, which discourages attacks.”

He explained that the kidnappers usually position themselves strategically to trap vehicles.

“They station shooters in front and at the back of traffic to block movement,” he said. “Their members hide on the right side of the bush if you’re coming from Nsukka. People who run into that side are usually ambushed.”

He added that victims heading from Nsukka are more vulnerable because the kidnappers’ camps are located on the right side of the road.

“Those who run to the opposite side often escape,” he noted.

Peter also advised families of victims to handle ransom negotiations with caution.

“Negotiate from as low as possible and keep begging. If you sound aggressive, the victim suffers — they beat captives,” he said.

In an emotional message after his release, Peter expressed deep gratitude to friends, family and supporters who contributed funds and prayed for his safe return.

“I give all glory to God. He gave me a second chance at life,” he said. “You all took it personal and ensured my release. I couldn’t have asked for a better family.”

The account was shared on Facebook by "Senator" Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, a social media influencer and has since sparked renewed public concern over insecurity along major highways in Enugu State.

Despite the trauma, Peter struck a hopeful note: “From the Peter you gave a second chance to life — we keep moving."