A business owner, Mr. Sikiru Olanipekun Olotu, has narrated his harrowing ordeal to our correspondent following his refusal to join a local political party. Olotu, who is about 50 years old, was born in Owo, Ondo State, but resided in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
In his discussion with our correspondent, he explained that he converted from Islam to Christianity, prefers to stay away from politics, and has been married since 2004 with three children. He operated a business dealing in baby products before his displacement.
Olotu stated that his troubles began on March 15, 2020, when a group of political thugs visited his shop.
The men demanded that he join a specific political party, believing that his popularity and influence in the community could help mobilize votes in the area. Olotu, however, declined the offer.
He lamented that on May 22, 2020, he was kidnapped and tortured by five armed men in the presence of his wife and children.
He was subsequently dragged into a nearby forest, where his captors used dangerous weapons to torture him in an attempt to force his allegiance to the party. Despite threats to his life, Olotu refused to capitulate. His rescue came when a hunter in the forest intervened, taking photographs of the torture session before firing a gunshot into the air.
The captors fled, assuming the police had arrived. The hunter later handed Olotu over to the police and presented the photographic evidence to the authorities. Although the police promised to investigate the matter, Olotu noted that he never received any feedback or report.
Despite the law enforcement intervention, the threats against his life persisted. This forced Olotu and his family to abandon their home. While his wife and children moved in with his mother-in-law, Olotu sought refuge with his mother in Benin City, Edo State, though the intimidation continued even there.
Determined to celebrate the festive season with his family, Olotu picked them up on December 16, 2020, and lodged them in a secure hotel in Imota.
However, on December 24, 2020, while preparing for Christmas, he received the devastating news that his cousin, Akeem, had been murdered in the compound of their family home.
The body was reportedly discovered by neighborhood security officials. Olotu expressed deep remorse, stating his belief that Akeem was mistakenly killed in his stead.
Following the tragic incident, Olotu fled to Abeokuta, Ogun State, while his family returned to his mother-in-law’s residence. He eventually escaped and left the country out of fear of imminent assassination.