An intense mix of relief and jubilation filled the air in Abraka, Delta State, as Joshua Jessa, a young man abducted by unknown kidnappers, miraculously escaped and reunited with his family on Sunday. The daring escape brings to light both the resilience of the victim and growing concerns about security in the area.
Jessa, the son of Chief Jessa Harrison, CEO of Jessa Global Limited, was abducted last Wednesday. Despite the trauma of his four-day captivity, he managed to flee his captors on Sunday evening. The emotional reunion with his family brought an outpouring of gratitude and amazement, as Jessa’s ordeal ended without a ransom payment.
Chief Harrison expressed profound joy over his son’s safe return, describing it as nothing short of miraculous. In a Facebook post, he recounted the harrowing experience, stating that his son had been seized by two armed men and taken into the bush. According to him, the kidnappers initially demanded a hefty N50 million ransom, eventually reducing it to N6 million after negotiations. But, in a twist of fate, Jessa escaped before any payment could be made.
“God released my son,” an emotional Chief Harrison told journalists. “I did not pay one naira.” His gratitude was evident as he shared the details of his son’s bold escape.
After enduring days in captivity, Jessa seized an opportunity to flee on Sunday evening. He ran to Kokori, a nearby town, from where he made a distress call to his father. Recounting his son’s call, Chief Harrison said, “At first, I thought it was a joke. We immediately set out to find him.”
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Following his rescue, Jessa was taken to Eku for medical attention before returning home to his family. The reunion was a moment of joy tempered by lingering concerns about the security response during his abduction.
Chief Harrison voiced frustration over what he described as the “lukewarm” response of local law enforcement. Despite reporting the abduction, he said only his younger brother, who serves as a Special Security Adviser to the Governor, and a local vigilante team assisted him in the search. “The police did not offer the support we hoped for,” he lamented.
Efforts to reach SP Bright Edafe, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State, for comment on the incident were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
Jessa’s escape highlights a broader issue of rising abductions in Delta State, sparking discussions about community safety and the role of law enforcement in handling such incidents. Local leaders and residents are increasingly voicing concerns about security, calling for more proactive measures to curb kidnappings and protect citizens.
Jessa’s miraculous escape will serve as a powerful reminder of resilience and faith for his family and community. However, it also underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to ensure that no one has to endure a similar ordeal.
