One year after surviving a brutal abduction that left him with a bullet lodged in his body for 12 days, the National Youth President of Afenifere, Eniola Ojajuni, has broken his silence — and his allegations are capable of shaking the nation.
From claims of uninvestigated intelligence to allegations of compromised security checkpoints, Ojajuni’s account raises troubling questions about Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping and the state of its institutions.
“No Security Agency Debriefed Me”
Ojajuni, who was abducted on February 17, 2025, while traveling to Abuja, says the most disturbing part of his ordeal came after he regained freedom.
According to him, despite spending nearly two weeks in captivity and witnessing critical operational details about his abductors, no security agency formally invited him for a structured intelligence debrief.
“Even as I speak, no proper debriefing has been conducted by the police, DSS, or any security agency. Survivors of kidnapping carry vital information, yet the system ignores us.”
If accurate, this revelation suggests a potentially dangerous intelligence gap in Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping framework.
“They Had 26 Camps and Planned Attacks”
Ojajuni claimed his captors boasted of operating about 26 camps with over 50 operatives in certain areas. He said he was shown at least five camps and heard discussions about planned attacks in parts of Kwara, Ogun and other southwestern states.
He disclosed that letters were written to relevant authorities and even the Southwest Governors’ Forum after his release, raising alarms over insecurity in Kwara State.
“Nobody listened. If I release some of the information I have, it could cause national panic.”
The gravity of that statement alone is likely to trigger public demand for official clarification.
₦27 Million Paid — and the Checkpoints Question
The youth leader further revealed that his abductors withdrew ₦4.5 million directly from his bank accounts and that nearly ₦19 million more was raised by family and associates to secure his release — bringing the total ransom-related loss to almost ₦27 million.
But what may generate even deeper concern is his allegation regarding ransom movement through security checkpoints.
“The night I was released, my wife and relatives passed multiple police checkpoints while moving with ransom money. In some instances, officers reportedly said the money belonged to them. How can ransom move through several checkpoints unnoticed?”
He stopped short of making direct accusations but suggested that “compromised elements” may exist within the system.
The implications are profound: If ransom funds can allegedly pass through official checkpoints without interception, what does that say about enforcement structures?
A Grave in the Forest
Perhaps the most haunting part of his account was his claim that kidnappers showed him the grave of a young female medical doctor who allegedly died in captivity after suffering a snakebite.
He said the victim received no medical attention and was buried in the forest, adding that her family may still be searching for her.
Such a claim, if verified, would deepen the national outrage over Nigeria’s kidnapping epidemic.
“Nigeria Is Bleeding”
Ojajuni’s criticism extended beyond his ordeal to broader governance concerns. He questioned the effectiveness of centralized policing and called for state police, constitutional reform, and what he described as “true federalism.”
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He also linked insecurity to structural governance issues and economic hardship.
“Nigeria cannot continue like this. Bombing forests alone will not solve the problem. We need intelligence-driven operations and structural reform.”
Silence from Authorities
As of press time, there has been no official response from security agencies regarding Ojajuni’s claims of non-debriefing or his concerns about ransom movement through checkpoints.
Given the seriousness of the allegations — especially those bordering on potential systemic compromise — Nigerians are likely to demand answers.
A Survivor’s Final Message
Despite his criticism, Ojajuni insists he remains willing to assist authorities.
“Invite me. Ask questions. Let’s collaborate to protect Nigeria.”
His words may resonate far beyond political circles. At a time when kidnappings continue to plague highways, rural communities, and even urban centers, the testimony of a high-profile survivor adds urgency to a national conversation many say can no longer be postponed.
One year after his abduction, the question he poses lingers uncomfortably:
Does Nigeria truly value human life — or has insecurity become normalized?