They saw my solar installation, that was what caught their attention,so they assumed I had money – Wisdom Amedu

According to a NewsVista reporter, what began as a peaceful night in a quiet community in Edo State quickly turned into a terrifying nightmare for 32-year-old Wisdom Amedu — a farmer, writer, and now, a survivor of a brutal kidnap operation that has left lasting emotional and physical scars.

Speaking from a place of deep trauma, Amedu recounted how a group of armed men stormed his residence under the cover of darkness. What triggered their interest? A solar installation.

“They saw my solar panel, and that was what caught their attention,” he explained. “They assumed—wrongly—that I had money. That was why they broke into my apartment.”

The intruders had already killed one of his dogs before forcing their way in, setting the tone for what would become a night of sheer horror. Inside, they unleashed violence and threats, particularly terrifying his pregnant wife. One of the attackers, according to Amedu, threatened to cut the unborn child out of her womb — a statement so chilling it added psychological torture to an already violent situation.

Despite claiming to be a simple farmer, Amedu said this did not soften the hearts of the criminals. Instead, they turned their frustration into violence, beating him with machetes while interrogating him about others in the house. When they discovered his driver was hiding, the threats escalated until the terrified man was forced out of concealment.

With no mercy shown, Amedu, his wife, and the driver were all bound and blindfolded before being dragged deep into the bush. There, he observed one of the kidnappers wearing what looked like a Nigerian Army uniform — a disturbing detail that raises questions about whether actual military personnel were involved or if the uniform was merely used as a tactic of intimidation.

The ordeal continued in captivity, where the family was pressured to raise ransom money while Amedu endured more beatings.

The Edo State Police Command has since launched an investigation into the incident, particularly probing the possible link to a military officer based on Amedu’s account.

This horrifying incident highlights a growing concern in rural communities — where even modest improvements like a solar installation can attract the wrong kind of attention.