Kidnappers, Not Islamists Cut Off My Hand – Victim Says

Mr Lanlege Samuel Adewale, a middle-aged man whose left arm was chopped off as captured in a video that has gone viral, has dispelled rumours that it was perpetrated by Islamists.

Adewale told security personnel after he was rescued alongside his brother that it was the handiwork of kidnappers.

He explained it was whilst trying to avoid a machete attack to his neck that one of the kidnappers cut off his left hand.

Adewale said that while he and his brother were riding a motorcycle to Ogbe in Yagba West LGA, in Kogi State last Saturday, some kidnappers numbering about eight sprang from the bush and seized them.

A close security source said that the victim revealed that it was in a failed bid to escape from the kidnappers’ den in Babanla forest in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, that one of the gang members cut off his left hand.

Adewale said that he was left for dead until a Joint security team found him and took him to the hospital,” added the source.

The source further said that, before the failed escape bid, the kidnappers had forced Adewale and his brother to their hideout in Eruku forest, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, through Oke-Ere/Okoloke forests in Yagba West of Kogi State, where they spent two days.

Adewala was quoted as haven said; “The kidnappers were aggressive and refused our relatives, hence, the attempted escape.

“My resistance angered them so much that they inflicted multiple injuries on my leg, arm and abandoned me thereafter. I am grateful to the life-saving security team that rushed me to the hospital.

“The incident surrounding my severed hand has nothing to do with the rumours that some persons were trying to Islamise and spread Jihad across Yorubaland, beginning with certain states,” he explained.