Vegetable Hawker Escapes From Suspect Ritual’s Den
A vegetable hawker, Odunayo Sunday, who was abducted in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, has escaped from the den of some suspected ritualists who took him away to neighbouring Ondo State.
Our correspondent learnt that the 13-year-old boy was found by a Good Samaritan at Ugbe Akoko in Akoko Northeast Local Government Area of Ondo State and had since been reunited with his guardian and neighbours.
He was kidnapped at Moferere area of Ado Ekiti while hawking vegetable by two men who were riding a Sport Utility Vehicle who beckoned on him pretending to buy the product from him.
Sources at the area explained that the unknown men bought vegetable worth N100 and gave the boy N1000 note expecting a balance of N900.
He was said to have looked for balance around without success after which the men gestured to him to move nearer only to be bundled into the vehicle which speed off thereafter leaving bystanders shocked.
Narrating the incident to journalists on Wednesday, Sunday said: “They took me to a place I don’t know, inside a very thick bush where their gang members were also waiting but a disagreement erupted among them.
“I was very much afraid and I was praying inside of me that God should save me from being killed by strange people. God answered my prayer and they ordered me to leave; I ran as far as my leg could carry me before reaching the main road.
“I had to beg a commercial driver after I narrated my ordeal to him and he took me to Ado Ekiti free of charge. It was God that saved me because I was afraid that they would kill me.”
His guardian, Mrs. Rachel Balogun, a farm produce trader, who explained that she travelled out of Ado Ekiti when the incident occurred said:
“I travelled to our hometown when the incident happened and I was sad and shocked by the story of his abduction but we thank God that he is back hale and hearty.
“It was God that saved Odun from wicked people and I thank God that his head rebelled against those who want to use him for sacrifice.”
The Vicar in charge of the Church of Resurrection (Anglican Communion), Moferere, Rev. Olufemi Adebule who confirmed the incident appealed to parents and guardians to be watchful as kidnappers and ritualists are on prowl.
The cleric called on security agencies to step up security in the town and curb the activities of criminals.
