How I Was Kidnapped, By Governor's Aide's Wife

Mary Diden, wife of Senior Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Security Matters, was kidnapped last week Tuesday and released last week Friday. In this interview with REPORTER, Felix Igbekoyi, she speaks on her experiences from the method of kidnap, treatment meted to her and reason for the kidnap. Excerpts:

Could you our readers who you are?

I am Mrs. Mary Diden, wife of former chairman of Warri North Local Government and present Senior Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Security Matters. I am from Ethiope West Local Government Area. I am a businesswoman. I deal particularly on cement and wood.


How were you kidnapped?

I was coming from Warri and I stopped over at my store to deliver jobs, I also went to the market. I was getting down from my Hilux vehicle when I saw almost 14 men, four overpowered and handed me over to another group before throwing me inside their vehicle. They covered my face and carried me away. They were not masked, they put on fez caps.


Why did you not raise alarm?

They were many. They were armed, so I started pleading. I thank God they did not kill my driver, he tried to block them with Hilux vehicle, in fact, there was an accident. As a result they took me to another vehicle.


How did they treat you despite your appeal?

They seized my bag, all my gold jewelries, two handsets, bank cheques, tellers, diaries and cash, which I cannot remember the amount.


Were they friendly to you on the way, and where you were kept?

They were very friendly. We trekked all night in a muddy swamp. At a point they were tired the way I was tired. We crossed many rivers. At a point also they missed their way. Some of them got angry and they started quarrelling among themselves. Some of them threatened to waste me and go away, while some disagreed. Those who wanted to waste me said I was a bad luck to them. Those who did not want me dead said they actually wanted to kidnap my husband. They said they were in our house twice, but my husband was not around. They thought it was my husband that was inside the Hilux when they stopped me.


What were your experiences at their camp?

When we got there, there was already a prepared bed for me. I don't know the number of days I spent there because my face was covered throughout. They told me to eat, but I refused. I only begged them to allow me to talk to my husband on phone. They asked me if I knew my husband's number and I said yes. My handsets were gone and I suspect they forgot those things inside the first vehicle that had accident. I promised to give them whatever they wanted once they let me live. They assured and told me they had a special Sim card to give me to make the call the next day, but would not use their personal Sim card.


What happened the next day?

The next day they asked me to eat, but I said no, I told them I was already soaked, that they should help me with tissue paper so that I could clean up. They said others would come in the morning and would bring those things. When I became uncomfortable, they cut the foam for me to use. They gave me boiled water to clean up. Others later came with tissue paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and other things, but I did not eat. I told them I had started fasting before they kidnapped me. But they insisted I must eat so that I won't die. Some threatened me with gun, while others said they consulted their oracle, which said they should not kill me. They asked me the number of children I have and told them six.


What did you tell your husband on phone?

They warned me to co-operate and tell my husband that they needed N200 million. They said they worked for my husband during the governorship election and that he settled some, but did not settled them after the election victory. They boasted that if they could get Igbuya, who called himself a pharaoh, why would they not get my husband? I pleaded that they should take it easy with my husband and me. I told them my husband is a giver, if he knows you he gives you, they shouted at me to keep quiet.


How were you rescued, or how did you escape?

Nobody recued me. The last day they brought bread, sardine, maltina and other things, I was on bed. Some were eating Apu; some would come and go. For the three days I could not sleep, I was listening to their conversations. The last day I was praying quietly to God on the bed when I heard some noise, then, "Don't move, we will blast the whole place and set it on fire." I was almost dead before I summoned courage and shouted that I am here o; I am a woman, please don't kill me. They asked of my name, I told them Mary, Ejele's wife. They said we have been looking for you. I pleaded with them not to kill me. They answered and said that Mary, I am Molubi, he started removing the cover on my face. The other said I am Lucky Maku. I could not see immediately. Later, I saw Molubi, my husband's brother, and Lucky. I saw military men from JTF. They took me back to my home. If they had met the kidnappers, maybe I would have died by now, because it would have been fire for fire.


Who do you think eventually saved you?

God saved me. My husband tried, too. He is a man.


If the kidnappers were caught, what punishment do you want for them?

They should leave them. They took care of me. They should repent.


How much was eventually paid?

My husband refused to pay them anything. I argued with my husband on phone that he should pay them whatever they asked for. Initially, they requested N200 million before they went down to N150 million. Later, they didn't talk to me again and I could not talk to my husband.


What is your advice to politicians now?


They should settle people and be kind to them.