He looked quite shaken and traumatised. And despite the smile he intermittently displayed and the exchange of banters with family members, well-wishers and friends, it was obvious that the business mogul was still in a state of shock. Udoji, who was abducted by unknown gunmen in front of his residence at 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, was released before midnight yesterday, after spending six weeks in captivity. He was abducted on September7.
His abductors were said to have laid ambush at 72nd Junction along 7th Avenue at a bad portion of the road close to his residence. It was reported that as soon as he was sighted, the gunmen deliberately hit his car, making it look like an accident. The driver stopped the car to ascertain the extent of damage, and in the process, the gunmen opened fire, shot the driver and drove off with Chief Uduji to an unknown destination. For the soft-spoken man from Isi-Achina in Anambra State, his experience was God’s method of realigning his ways to suit His purpose, adding that the event of September 7, 2015, had brought him closer to God. According to him, the sad incident took place barely a month after the arrival of his son from Canada. He revealed that he had just returned from visiting his wife and baby when he was abducted. Recalling what he described as a the most traumatizing experience of his life, Sir Udoji said his abductor struck at about 4:30pm while he was returning from office with two of his drivers. He disclosed that he had fallen asleep in his Hilux truck while returning home, when he was abruptly woken by the sound of gunshots. He noted that in what could be likened to a commando styled operation that lasted for five minutes, four gunmen, whom he initially thought were robbers shot at his driver, blindfolded him and drove away with to an unknown destination. The businessman noted that in fairness to his abductors, he was treated specially, spoon-fed like a baby and was never beaten. He, however, noted that anytime it was night time, he became apprehensive because of the unbearable heat at the place where he was kept. He noted that his delayed stay with his captors was due to a little mix-up between his amily and the kidnappers. In an emotion-laden voice, the visibly shaken Uduji said it was only God that made his release possible. Describing it as a miracle, the businessman who was blindfolded throughout his period of incarceration said his release was still like a dream which he attributed to the prayers of his family members, friends, members of FHA Lawn Tennis club, and colleagues in the business community. He also attributed to the prayers of Christians and Muslims alike, who stood in the gap, calling on God for his unconditional release. Uduji who said he was humbled by the outpour of emotions by Nigerians within and outside the country, prayed that no one, not even his enemy, should undergo such gory experience. According to him, while with his captors, he was always calm, believing that he would one day be released. He said what sustained him all the while was his faith in God, praises and prayers. “I relied on God to set me free and He really intervened. I had an unflinching faith in God and I relied on Him greatly for my freedom. While there, I asked myself several questions and wondered what would have happened to me if I was struck by a bullet. Even the injury I sustained was healed without being infected. The whole episode made me to know that people loved me and I am really indebted to them. “While with them, I took time to assess my lifestyle and discovered areas of amendment. God made me to realise that whatever happened to me was for a purpose and I have decided to live according to His purpose for my life. Since I promised God to serve Him once I am free, I would ensure that I fulfil the vow, no matter what. I would also do more in whatever way I can. It’s God’s grace that made me see another day out of captivity” The industrialist disclosed that during his ordeal, his family suffered a great deal and were greatly traumatised. Though he vehemently refused to mention the amount that was paid as ransom to his captors, he maintained that “their demands were met.” He advised anybody who became a victim of such unfortunate incident to cooperate with the abductors instead of risking precious life, which cannot be bought with money. He also denied an earlier report that the abductors had demanded for a ransom of one million dollars (about N120 million), an amount which he described as outrageous.
Friends and well wishers who thronged Uduji’s residence also decried the deteriorating state of insecurity in the country, especially in Festac town Lagos where armed bandits now perpetrate violent crimes without fear of confrontation by security agents. They also wondered why it had become so difficult to arrest the ugly situation despite the fact that Festac town could be accessed through only four roads.
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