'My Kidnappers Fed Me Garri and Oil' – Rescued President Jonathan’s Uncle

Happy to be alive and finally home, President Goodluck Jonathan's rescued uncle and adopted father has narrated his ordeal in the hands of his captors.

Nitabai, a former university lecturer, said his abductors fed him with garri and oil for the 18 days he was held captive. He was blindfolded throughout the period. He also said  he was almost submerged in a swamp while the kidnappers were moving him from one spot to another because he was blindfolded.

The already emaciated man, said:

 “My ordeal in the hands of my captors was simply horrendous. I was blindfolded  for those 18
days. So I did not see my abductors. They fed me with garri and oil. There was a day they were asking me some foolish questions and I kept quiet. They were upset and beat me up. It was a miracle I did not die that day.”

Punch reports Inengite said he had yet to know the motive behind his abduction. When reminded that it could be because of his relation with President Jonathan, he answered that he could not rule it out.


The septuagenarian, who had lectured at Rivers State University beforing moving to the Niger Delta University, where he retired, was abducted by 10 gunmen about 9pm on February 23, 2014. You recall that Nitabai’s abductors had demanded for a N500 million ransom but were said to be infuriated when his family members said they could only afford N30m. The kidnappers rejected the N30m, allegedly saying the amount was “unpresidential.”

Eventually, according to Bayelsa police spokesman, Mr Alex Akhigbe, no ransom was paid for Nitabai’s release. The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Hillary Opara, said Nitabai was rescued in the early hours of Thursday.