Kidnappers Threatened to Blast My Butt Over BBL Accusation – Fashion Designer

A Terrifying Journey: The Kidnapping of Grace Sey

Grace Sey, a renowned actress and fashion designer from Cross River State, experienced a harrowing ordeal that turned what was meant to be a routine movie trip into 22 days of terror. Her story highlights the dangers faced by individuals in certain regions of Nigeria, particularly along waterways.

Background and Initial Incident

Grace described her life as a fashion designer, actress, and content creator, married with four children. On April 18, 2025, she traveled to Uyo for a film shoot and decided to return to Calabar via the Uyo–Calabar waterway. However, her journey took a dark turn when their boat was attacked by masked kidnappers. They forced everyone into their boat and took them to a remote camp deep within the creeks.

At the camp, the kidnappers searched everyone’s belongings. Inside one bag, they found some ATM cards and demanded to know the owner. When no one admitted ownership, two of the kidnappers pointed at Grace, claiming the cards were hers. She was shocked and began to be beaten, accused of lying. She explained that her ATM card had expired and that she mostly used her phone for transactions. The kidnappers threatened to shoot her if the cards later turned out to be hers.

Captivity and Conditions

There were 24 people in total on the boat, and everything, including phones, bags, and clothes, was taken. After a few days, the kidnappers began contacting families for ransom. During this time, the captives slept on wooden planks under the open sky, surrounded by mosquitoes and the smell of stagnant water.

Grace was held captive for 22 days, with some victims held longer. The kidnappers released victims one after another, depending on who could pay the ransom. She was terrified, constantly thinking about her husband and children, as communication was impossible due to the loss of their phones.

Physical and Emotional Abuse

Grace endured several beatings, especially with the flat side of a cutlass on her buttocks. The kidnappers mocked her, assuming she was rich because of her profession as an actress. They also made fun of her body, suggesting she might have undergone cosmetic surgery. Despite the threats, she maintained her innocence and prayed for divine help.

The camp was remote, surrounded by water and tall trees, with wooden planks as beds and starch-covered walls. The men were always armed and masked, and sometimes Grace was taken out to call her family or withdraw money. Her daily withdrawal limit was N50,000, but the kidnappers took all the N200,000 her husband had transferred for business purposes.

Security and Daily Life

Security operatives did come around once, with the Navy attacking the kidnappers from the river. However, the captives were moved deeper into the creek afterward. Food was scarce, with mostly cooked fish, and the water came directly from the creek—salty and dirty. At night, they slept on bare wooden planks.

Ransom and Release

The initial ransom demand was N15 million, but Grace’s husband paid an undisclosed amount. She wasn’t released immediately, waiting a week before being taken to a small fishing village in Akwa Ibom. There, villagers helped them with money and a boat to reach their final destination.

Aftermath and Reflection

Grace still has nightmares and is traumatized, but she is grateful to be alive. The experience left her questioning the safety of Nigeria, especially the waterways, which she believes need better security. She emphasized the importance of trusting in God and being content with the bodies we have.

Advice and Final Thoughts

Grace advises against cosmetic procedures like BBL, noting that implants can burst and that life can change suddenly. She encourages people to be content with what God has given them.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers faced by many and the resilience required to overcome such traumatic experiences.