A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Adigun Agbaje, who regained freedom after he was abducted on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, has recounted his two days ordeal in the hands of his abductors.

Agbaje, who is also the Chairman of the Oba Sikiru Adetona Institute for Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said he missed death by a whisker, following the gunshot he received in the head during his abduction on Friday.

He made this known via a statement issued on Monday by his son, Adewale Agbaje, on behalf of his father.

Narrating his harrowing experience, the former Deputy VC said: “It’s a new day today and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday (Sunday) evening after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo States.

“My mind goes to the five others who are still left with the kidnappers: two young ladies, two young men, and a middle-aged person.

“I was shot in the head during the abduction process.

“I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin-deep wound on my head even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing. I did not even know about this till Saturday morning when I saw caked blood on my cap.

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“I am undergoing comprehensive health checks and so it may take some time to thank all my family, including my in-laws, friends, and in-laws to my children, my own friends, colleagues, and all Nigerians,” he stated.

Agbaje further expressed his appreciation to the former and current UI Vice-Chancellors and his colleagues in the university.

He equally thanked government, military, and other security officials, saying: “I am quite grateful for all your efforts. You all kept hope alive and ensured that the sensitive negotiations came to a successful end when I regained freedom yesterday evening.

“As stated earlier, my heart goes to those young female undergraduates, the young men, and the middle-aged person I left behind with the kidnappers.

“I may not be reachable now, but as soon as I get medical clearance from my doctors, I will be thanking all of you personally.”

It would be recalled that Agbaje, along with other travellers, including two female students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, were on Friday night kidnapped by gunmen in military uniform around Dominica University on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The kidnappers, on Saturday, demanded the payment of N50 million ransom from the family before he could be released.

However, it could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report if any ransom was paid by the family and the amount to secure the release of the former UI Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The Star