Rescued and Relieved: Five Wedding Guests Abducted En Route Uyo Regain Freedom, Recount Ordeal In Imo Forest

 

Wedding Guests Abducted in Imo State Return Safely, Share Harrowing Experience

Five travellers who went missing en route from Lagos to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, earlier this week have resurfaced and confirmed their safety following a brief period of abduction by unidentified gunmen. The group, consisting of wedding guests heading to the southeastern region, had been unreachable for two days, sparking concern and online outcry.

Human rights advocate, Harrison Gwamnishu, first raised the alarm on Wednesday after relatives lost contact with the group. The situation gained public attention swiftly, prompting responses from both social media users and law enforcement.

A 41-minute video posted late Friday by Gwamnishu featured the five individuals appearing in good health, introducing themselves by name, and thanking the public for their concern. One of them, Femi Adedeji, simply stated, “My name is Femi Adedeji. Thank you guys. We are back home. We are safe.”

Further details provided by Gwamnishu clarified that the group departed Lagos on Tuesday morning. Their journey led them to a hotel in Anambra State, where they rested for the night. Resuming their trip on Wednesday morning, they relied on Google Maps for navigation. Unfortunately, their route led them through the Okigwe-Okwelle Road in Imo State—a known flashpoint—where they were intercepted by masked gunmen.

According to the victims’ account, they were blindfolded and taken into the bush. There, they remained under captivity until Thursday evening before being released. The captors reportedly spared them upon realizing they were civilians, stating their targets were members of the uniformed services.

Though the individuals have now returned safely, the situation has sparked debates around road safety and emergency response protocols across southeastern Nigeria. The families of the abductees expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who shared the missing persons alert and played a role in raising awareness.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command found itself at the center of the unfolding narrative. The Command initially stated it had received no formal complaint or report regarding the missing travellers, despite the incident being widely circulated online. On Thursday, after THE WHISTLER reached out to verify the matter, the police said they were still unaware of the case through any of their divisions.

A press release issued by the Command on Friday expressed disappointment over the lack of direct communication from either the victims’ families or Gwamnishu. It read: “The Command initially didn’t want to join words with the publisher and issued a Press Statement on 22nd May 2025, seeking useful information and inviting the relatives of the victims to the Command for necessary action (if truly such an incident happened).”

According to the release, Gwamnishu responded only via a Facebook comment, stating: “Thank you. They are strangers and the family are on their way to the East. They will report today so your office can assist.”

Efforts by the police to make contact with the families or secure their physical presence at the Command headquarters in Awka reportedly yielded no results. The Command further noted that the viral nature of the story had inadvertently led to criticism of its performance, potentially undermining public trust and efforts in crime prevention.

Despite these frustrations, the Anambra Police emphasized their continued commitment to safety, law enforcement, and cooperation with citizens to root out criminal elements within the state.

This incident adds to growing concerns about security on Nigerian highways, particularly for travellers passing through the southeast, where criminal activities—including abductions—have been on the rise. It also underscores the critical importance of real-time communication between citizens, human rights advocates, and law enforcement agencies in managing such crises.

As the rescued travellers reunite with their loved ones, the story serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the power of public advocacy and rapid information sharing.