{
  "id": 18614064,
  "title": "I abandoned my PhD in Nigeria after three days in kidnappers’ den — UK-based researcher",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/i-abandoned-my-phd-in-nigeria-after-three-days-in-kidnappers-den-uk-18614064",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T01:58:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/i-abandoned-my-phd-in-nigeria-after-three-days-in-kidnappers-den-uk-based-researcher/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Ayodeji Afolami, a UK-based researcher and agricultural expert, shares his harrowing kidnapping experience in Nigeria in 2021. A PhD student in Crop Production at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Afolami was abducted while working on his farm in Ogun State. For three days, he was held captive under brutal conditions, forced to endure physical abuse and psychological pressure. His captors demanded a N30m ransom, which was eventually paid. The experience left Afolami traumatized, both mentally and physically, prompting him to leave Nigeria and seek refuge in the UK. At the Royal Agricultural University, he completed a PhD in Sustainable Agriculture and Crop Production, focusing on soybean production. Afolami's journey from victim to academic success underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.",
  "summary": "Dr Ayodeji Afolami tells AYOOLA OLASUPO how a three-day kidnapping ordeal on his farm in Ogun State in 2021 shattered his sense of security, forced him to abandon his academic pursuit in Nigeria and… Read More: https://punchng.com/i-abandoned-my-phd-in-nigeria-after-three-days-in-kidnappers-den-uk-based-researcher/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}