Gunmen who kidnapped seven individuals from Erinmope-Ekiti in the Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State have freed six of the victims after obtaining a ransom of N25 million.
Unfortunately, one of the abducted, named Hawau Suleiman, reportedly passed away while in captivity, and her remains have not yet been located.
It should be noted that on January 24, 2026, the assailants invaded the community and took five women hostage, initially demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.
Among those taken included a nursing mother and another woman who was nine months pregnant at the time.
Reports indicate that Hawau collapsed and died during the ordeal.
The victims endured weeks of forced movement through expansive forests that spread across Ekiti, Kwara, and Kogi States.
During ransom negotiations, two men from the victims' families traveled to deliver N10 million to secure the release of the five women. However, the kidnappers rejected this amount and captured the two men, raising the number of hostages to seven.
Sources revealed that the hostages were eventually released earlier this week after the family paid the sum of N25 million.
Relating their experiences on Thursday, Muhammad Soliu, one of the six freed individuals, recounted that the deceased woman collapsed from fatigue during the strenuous journey.
"We trekked several kilometers barefoot, without food or water, from a forest in Kwara to the Kogi area. We had no hope of surviving," Soliu shared.
He continued, "As we were being moved around, the woman who died passed out. We pleaded to carry her, but the kidnappers threatened to kill us if we halted."
"They instructed us to keep moving without looking back. It was the worst ordeal anyone could ever face. We are appealing to the authorities to help us retrieve her body for a proper burial."
Soliu noted that he and his brother had been bound together when they brought the initial N10 million to the kidnappers, and were subsequently forced deeper into the forest. They were not permitted to communicate with the five women who had been taken first.
He explained that the six survivors were released in different locations across Kogi and Kwara States on Tuesday and then made their way back home to Erinmope.
"I was freed at Idofin in Kwara, while the others were released in Kogi State. My brother and I endured 11 days with our captors, whereas the five women spent about a month in captivity," Soliu clarified.
The expectant mother among the abducted was reportedly taken to a hospital for medical care following her release.
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