When I started Agbetech Agro Consult Limited, I was still very new to the world of consultancy.
My Nairaland posts were beginning to go viral. People from different parts of Nigeria and even abroad were reaching out to me. It was exciting, but it was also a dangerous period because I was inexperienced and had nobody to advise me on how to handle some of these opportunities.
One day, I received a call from a man who introduced himself as Dayo.
According to him, he had just returned from the USA and wanted to venture into cash crop cultivation. He said he saw my post on Nairaland about how I converted an abandoned land into a thriving sesame farm.
He wanted me to establish a 10-hectare demonstration plot in Iseyin, Oyo State.
The offer sounded genuine.
We discussed terms, agreed on a fee, and he immediately sent me ₦150,000 for transportation, hotel accommodation, and logistics.
Everything looked professional.
Before I left home, my mother called me.
"Ezekiel, kneel down."
I knelt.
She prayed passionately for me and handed me a Catholic crucifix.
"Always trust God wherever you go," she said.
I wore it and headed for the park.
My friend Shehu escorted me and waited until the vehicle left.
I arrived in Ibadan late at night and lodged in a hotel.
The next morning, I boarded a vehicle to Iseyin.
When I arrived, I called Dayo.
No answer.
After some time, he called back and instructed me to take an okada to another village.
I handed the phone to the rider, and they discussed in Yoruba.
Eventually, we arrived at a small village with only a few houses.
I sat beside a small provision shop waiting.
A few minutes later, a man appeared.
Without saying much, he grabbed my bag and asked me to follow him.
I did.
We arrived at a beautiful house.
Several expensive cars were parked inside, covered with tarpaulin.
In my mind, I said:
"This man must really have money."
I relaxed and started scrolling through my phone.
Then I noticed a few young men staring at me.
They kept saying:
"Eleyi... Eleyi..."
Because I used to watch Yoruba programs on Orisun TV, I could understand a little.
I wasn't comfortable, but I stayed calm.
Then things became strange.
Very strange.
People started bringing out large calabashes.
Cowries appeared.
White clothes were spread across the floor.
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
At that moment, my body became hot.
Every alarm bell in my head started ringing.
I asked myself:
"What exactly is happening here?"
But I remained calm.
Then a thought entered my mind.
Fake a phone call.
I stood up confidently.
My phone wasn't even connected to anybody.
I simply placed it to my ear and started acting.
"Hello bro! I've arrived o! The house is fine! Very fine!"
I kept talking and gradually walked toward the gate.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something.
Everybody had stopped what they were doing.
They were watching me.
Every single one of them.
But I continued acting naturally.
After all, my bag, soil testing meter, boots, clothes, and equipment were still inside.
They probably thought I would return.
I reached the gate.
It was unlocked.
I opened it.
Walked out.
Passed a few houses.
The moment I was out of sight...
MY BROTHER, I TOOK OFF!!! 🏃🏿♂️
I ran like my ancestors were pushing me.
A few minutes later, I heard noise behind me.
They were chasing me.
At that point, I knew I wasn't imagining things.
I hid inside an unfinished building and immediately called my brother in Kano.
"Bros... wahala dey o!"
I explained everything.
His response was simple:
"Run toward the main road immediately."
It was Friday.
Most people had gone to the mosque.
God being God, I saw a motorcyclist.
"Abeg, take me to the main road."
"₦1,000."
"Oya, let's go!"
Luckily, my ATM card and two phones were in my pocket.
When we reached the main road, something happened that nearly stopped my heart.
The guy ( Dayo) started calling.
and said:
"Haba... no be Igala you be?"
"You dey fear juju."
"Come back make we find hotel for you."
At that moment, I knew one thing:
I was not going back anywhere.
I immediately switched off my phone.
When I reached Iwo Road, Ibadan, I checked into a hotel.
But the drama wasn't over.
Around midnight, somebody started knocking on my door.
GBAM! GBAM! GBAM!
My heart nearly left my body.
I shouted:
"Who is that?!"
The person replied:
"Room service. I want to give you your towel."
At 12 midnight?
Towel?
My brother, fear no allow me reason.
I told him:
"Oga, carry your towel commot there abeg!"
The next morning, before sunrise, I entered a bike, rushed to the park, boarded a vehicle, and returned to Kogi State.
I came home without my clothes.
Without my boots.
Without my equipment.
But most importantly...
I came home with my life.
That experience taught me one lesson:
Not every opportunity is an opportunity.
As young entrepreneurs, consultants, farmers, and business people, we must learn to verify people properly before traveling to unfamiliar places.
Sometimes, your instincts are God's way of protecting you.
Till today, I still thank God for that journey.
God has saved me from many dangers I never saw coming.
Dayo blocked my lines and evade all calls from police when I got to idah.
My brother in Kano State tried to track to NIN he used to register his lines, but was traced to one Nnekka an old woman based in Imo State.
Have you ever had an experience where you narrowly escaped danger? Share your story in the comments.
Agbetech Agro Consult
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