Wole Soyinka Narrates Harrowing Abduction and Robbery in Romania

 Wole Soyinka Narrates Harrowing Abduction and Robbery in Romania

Renowned Nobel Laureate and playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has shared a chilling account of how he was abducted and robbed during his recent visit to Bucharest, Romania.

Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in Literature, had travelled to Romania at the invitation of Ambassador Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the General Assembly of UNESCO. He was in the country to serve as Guest of Honour at the world-renowned Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS), an event that draws some of the biggest names in global theatre and culture.

According to reports, Soyinka was suddenly accosted by unidentified men during his stay in Bucharest. The assailants abducted him, forcibly dispossessed him of his belongings, and left him deeply shaken. Despite the traumatic ordeal, the 89-year-old playwright still managed to honour his engagement at FITS, where he delivered his scheduled participation with his trademark resilience.

The incident, first reported by Sahara Reporters, has triggered widespread shock and concern in Nigeria and across the world. Many cultural enthusiasts and human rights advocates have condemned the attack, urging the Romanian authorities to investigate swiftly and bring the perpetrators to justice.

For decades, Wole Soyinka has stood as a global symbol of courage, literary excellence, and fearless advocacy for justice and democracy. His abduction in Romania has sparked renewed debates about the safety of international cultural icons and the responsibility of host nations to ensure adequate security for visiting dignitaries.

The news has since ignited solidarity messages from admirers and institutions worldwide, who insist that Soyinka’s ordeal must not be ignored but instead serve as a wake-up call for stronger diplomatic and security protections for cultural figures on the global stage.