JUST IN: Rivers Speaker Recounts Five-Day Kidnap Ordeal in Forest During Birthday Thanksgiving

Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has reflected on a life-threatening incident he experienced years ago, recounting his ordeal during a special service to celebrate his 52nd birthday, as reported by Punch on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The thanksgiving service took place at All Saints Anglican Church in Eliozu, within Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

During the event, Amaewhule shared a chilling account of how he was kidnapped in 2008. According to him, the incident happened shortly after he returned from a Sunday church service.

Unknown to him, the kidnappers had attended the same service and followed him home. Upon arrival at his residence, the assailants overpowered his security guard and abducted him.

He was taken to a remote forest area, where he was held captive for five days under harsh and inhumane conditions.

He described how he was injured multiple times, including wounds to his head and body, as his captors moved him between various locations within the forest.

Thorns were reportedly placed under his feet as a form of torture, and he was given only biscuits to eat throughout his time in captivity.

Amaewhule described the experience as one that brought him close to death, noting that he suffered severe physical and emotional trauma.

He expressed deep gratitude for surviving the ordeal, emphasizing that the incident strengthened his faith and his appreciation for life.

He also noted that in the past year, he had faced several threats to his life, which further reminded him of the importance of giving thanks.

He told the congregation that marking another year was not just a celebration of age but a recognition of divine protection in the face of danger.