I’ve not slept since kidnappers demanded N100m for my brother — Sibling

Mr Tunde Jaiyesimi, elder brother of Adegoke, who was recently abducted in Sokoto State, shares his pain with CHUKWUDI AKASIKE as the kidnappers insist on the payment of N100m before the victim can be released

How did you hear about your brother’s kidnap?

Somebody called and told me that they saw my brother’s vehicle somewhere, and they suspected that the person in the vehicle had been kidnapped probably in one community or so. So, when the man called me, later on, the kidnappers themselves now called.

How did you feel when you got the news of his abduction?

I was sad. My brother cannot be in custody somewhere and I will be happy about it. I was traumatised. We have been running around and trying to talk to them, but they (the kidnappers) kept insisting that the sum of N100m must be brought to them before he would be released.

Nobody will feel happy when his brother is kidnapped, especially when he is not a criminal. My brother was going about his legitimate business before the incident happened.

The video of him in the kidnappers’ den was not made by us; maybe he was forced to do it or so. The way you saw it (video) was the way they sent it to me. The kidnappers called me and said, ‘This is your brother.’

How much has the family raised so far?

We have not raised anything. The whole thing (video) just went viral like that. I am not the one who sent it; it just went viral. My brother has been soliciting; we have also been soliciting the money. We must be able to raise the amount.

Are his wife and children aware of this ugly incident?

Yes, they are all aware.

How are they coping with his absence since March 6?

Of course, it has been traumatic to all of them. They are not coping with it. How will they cope with the kidnap of their father and husband? How can they be living with such a thing? It has been very traumatic to everybody. The day they sent the video to me was also the day they sent it to his wife.

Where did your brother start the journey before he was kidnapped in Sokoto?

He was driving from Kano State to Sokoto State before the incident happened.

Don’t you think he should have travelled by air to avoid his current situation?

I don’t really know if he would have gone by flight. I was not even aware that he was travelling from Kano to Sokoto.

Have the police been informed about his abduction?

Yes, we have reported the incident to the police.

How far have they (the police) gone with their investigation?

They have been working on it, trying to see how he can be freed. They are just working on it; that was what they told us.

But are you satisfied with the pace of work?

They are working on it, but if it has to do with the way they are working on it, definitely, my expectation will be very high. That is their profession; they know what they are doing. So I can’t really tell them what to do, but if I am in control, and the way I feel about the matter, I will tell them to do this and that. However, it doesn’t work that way, though they are doing their best too.

How old is your brother?

He is my younger brother; he is over 40 years old.

Was he on an official duty when he was abducted?

Well, I don’t know. I didn’t discuss that with him. I only know he travelled.

Where does he work?

He works with an agronomic company.

Has the organisation he works for been informed about his kidnap?

I think they must have informed the company.

What about his parents?

Well, like I told you, the entire family is sad about the situation. It has been traumatic since we had the bad news. So, everybody is quite frustrated. I have not even slept for days since the incident happened. How would I be sleeping when I am thinking about the outrageous amount they are asking for? All this is affecting everybody.

What is your message to the kidnappers?

We are begging them to please have mercy (sobs).

How can the government come into the situation and ensure your brother is freed?

All these incidents we hear make us feel unsafe. These are roads that we had travelled before. Personally, I have travelled those roads before. I travelled to Sokoto the night before, and there was no problem on the road. But hearing this now shows the level of insecurity we are facing in this nation.

So, I appeal to the government to intensify its efforts and equip the police so that they can be able to do whatever they need to do to carry out their responsibilities effectively. (Punch)