Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has recounted a harrowing experience in Bucharest, Romania, where he claims he was abducted and robbed shortly after arriving to attend the Sibiu International Theatre Festival. He gave this account in an interview with TheNEWS, shared by Daily Trust. He said the ordeal started after he missed the party that was meant to pick him up at the airport.
What Happened According to Soyinka
Soyinka says he landed in Bucharest at about 12:10 a.m., feeling optimistic about the trip. Because he missed his hosts at the airport, he boarded a taxi that he believed was official, heading for the Novotel Hotel, where he planned to lodge. Instead, he claims the driver diverted to a deserted and dimly lit area. Around 1 a.m., inside that taxi, the driver produced a POS machine and demanded Soyinka enter his bank pin. He resisted, entering wrong numbers and stalling, hoping someone might appear in the hotel or nearby. He says the situation felt increasingly dangerous.
Inside that car, the tension built. Soyinka describes a battle of wills. The driver insisted on the PIN, warned him, and asked who he was. Soyinka held his ground, playing for time. Eventually, the driver dropped him at the hotel, but not before the episode lasted about 25-30 minutes. Soyinka says he entered the hotel feeling uneasy but relieved to be out of that strange place.
Repercussions and Personal Reflections
This isn’t the first time Soyinka has spoken about experiencing personal insecurity. He has previously stated that some robberies and break-ins at his residences involved inside information or help, but this experience overseas shocked him in a new way. He said he did not write off the idea that this attack was organized, or that the driver may have had intent beyond mere robbery.
Soyinka noted that he has documented the event in his upcoming book, suggesting further details will emerge there. He also reflected on how, in unfamiliar environments, trust becomes fragile, and one’s sense of security can erode quickly under threat.
What It Means for Travelers and Hosts
Soyinka’s story reopens conversations about safety for travelers, especially high-profile figures. It raises questions about verifying hosts, trusted transportation, and verifying identity in unfamiliar settings. For cultural festivals, diplomatic visits, and arts events, organizers might now feel pressure to ensure vetted logistics, better coordination, and stricter safeguards for guests after arrival.
Public Reaction
After the interview was published, many Nigerians expressed sympathy. They hailed Soyinka’s courage in speaking out and criticized systems that allow such vulnerabilities. Some called for better protection of expatriates and African intellectuals abroad. Others urged Soyinka’s hosts or festival organizers to issue statements and clarify what security measures were in place.
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