Families of nine National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and a driver abducted along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan road in Ogun State have appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
The kidnappers have reportedly demanded N25 million for their release and given the families until Thursday to pay.
One of the abducted persons, identified as Dapo, recently completed his national service in Edo State and was travelling back to Ibadan when the incident occurred on Tuesday evening.
His sister, Abigeal, said the family was devastated by the development and had no means of raising the amount demanded by the kidnappers.
She explained that Dapo had been communicating with relatives throughout his journey until he sent a video showing traffic on the road. That was the last contact the family had with him.
The family learnt of the abduction shortly after 7pm when one of the corps members travelling in the vehicle managed to escape and contacted another relative.
Abigeal said the survivor informed the family that armed men had attacked their vehicle and taken Dapo and the other occupants away.
She added that police officers and local vigilantes began searching the surrounding forest after the incident, but the operation had not produced any information about the victims.
According to her, the family went to the Ijebu-Ode Police Station on Wednesday to report the incident and seek assistance. Officers initially asked them to remain calm, explaining that search efforts were ongoing.
However, the operatives reportedly returned less than an hour later without any update and advised the family to wait for contact from the abductors.
While the relatives were returning from the police station to the motor park, the kidnappers called using Dapo’s mobile phone.
The family reportedly returned to the station, where they briefly heard Dapo’s voice before the abductors took over the call and demanded N20 million.
Abigeal said the family pleaded with the kidnappers to reduce the amount, but the call was abruptly disconnected.
The abductors reportedly called again at about 6.59pm on Wednesday, raising their demand to N25 million and insisting that payment must be made by Thursday.
She said the kidnappers threatened the victims and dismissed the family’s pleas for more time or a reduction in the ransom.
The victim’s sister disclosed that several of those held captive were corps members, adding that some of their relatives had also turned to social media to seek financial assistance and draw attention to the incident.
She said the family had recovered Dapo’s luggage and other belongings after the vehicle was found and taken to the police station. His bags were handed over to them on Wednesday, but the whereabouts of the 10 occupants remained unknown.
Abigeal also raised concerns about how the vehicle ended up in the bush, saying the family was told that the driver had left the main road while attempting to avoid traffic.
According to the survivor, passengers questioned the driver and asked him to reverse after he turned onto the bush path, but he allegedly ignored their warnings.
In a voice note recounting the incident, the escaped corps member said the vehicle was heading towards Ibadan after passing Ijebu-Ode when the driver suddenly diverted into the bush at about 7pm.
He said the passengers became uneasy and challenged the driver over the route, but the vehicle continued further into the bush.
The survivor alleged that armed men emerged shortly afterwards, opened fire and attacked the occupants. He said one person was shot, while he escaped capture by hiding.
He later found himself in the bush after the gunmen had taken the other passengers away. Some of the victims’ mobile phones were reportedly left inside the vehicle.
The survivor described the attackers as Fulani, although the claim has not been independently verified.
He also confirmed that nine corps members and the driver were in the vehicle, bringing the number of abducted persons to 10.
The survivor said police officers and vigilantes entered the forest after the attack in an effort to locate those taken away.
Abigeal appealed to the Federal Government, the Ogun and Oyo State governments, security agencies and members of the public to intervene urgently.
She said the victims had already spent two nights in captivity and expressed fears over their safety, particularly as the family could not afford the ransom.
The family said it had heard Dapo pleading during the kidnappers’ phone call and urged authorities to do everything possible to secure the release of all 10 victims.
As of the time of filing this report, the victims were still being held by the kidnappers, while their families continued to seek urgent assistance.
