A Nigerian agricultural researcher, Dr Ayodeji Afolami, has recounted how a kidnapping ordeal in Ogun State forced him to discontinue his doctoral studies in Nigeria and relocate to the United Kingdom, where he eventually earned a PhD.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH, Afolami said five armed men wearing camouflage abducted him from his farm at Ibara Orile, Abeokuta, on August 4, 2021.
According to him, his captors forced him to walk through the forest for about eight hours before reaching the location where he was held for three days.
He said the kidnappers demanded ₦30 million and subjected him to beatings with machetes and gun butts. Throughout his captivity, his greatest concern was whether he would survive and reunite with his wife and family.
His relatives and friends negotiated his release, and a ransom was delivered on the third night. He did not disclose the amount eventually paid.
Following his release, Afolami received hospital treatment for his injuries. However, the emotional effects persisted, leaving him fearful of returning to his farm and struggling to resume his daily activities.
He said one of his bosses arranged therapy sessions in Lagos to help him process the experience. Despite receiving support, his shattered sense of security influenced his decision to leave Nigeria.
Before the abduction, Afolami had studied Crop Production at Olabisi Onabanjo University and obtained a master’s degree in Agronomy from the University of Ibadan. He began a PhD at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in 2019.
After relocating, he pursued doctoral research at the Royal Agricultural University in the UK, completing a PhD in Sustainable Agriculture and Crop Production.
His research focused on soybean production under northern temperate conditions, examining varieties, planting rates, nitrogen management and biological nitrogen fixation.
Afolami described the qualification as a personal milestone representing survival, perseverance and the rebuilding of his life.
He also highlighted the lasting impact of kidnapping on victims and their families, explaining that recovery continues long after physical freedom is regained.
Despite the disruption to his plans, he remains committed to agricultural research and grateful for the opportunity to begin again.
About the Author
