A National Youth Service Corps member, Rofiat Lawal, who was abducted along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday, has been released after her family raised N1.1 million to secure her freedom.
Lawal was traveling from Benin, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, to resume her primary assignment when she was kidnapped. Initially, the kidnappers demanded an exorbitant ransom of N20 million. However, after a series of negotiations, the demand was reduced to N5 million. Despite the steep figures, the family managed to cobble together N1.1 million through a collective fundraising effort.
According to a close friend, Agbakwara—who also shared a video of Lawal on Facebook—the kidnappers had issued a stern warning, insisting that failure to meet their demands would result in her permanent disappearance. “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return,” Agbakwara recounted.
“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, including her colleagues, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, and even my own fans. Through our collective efforts and the generosity of many, we were able to raise N1.1 million.”
The ransom was transferred at approximately 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers. The payment was facilitated by an intermediary, Isaac Ayo, who claimed that his own sister had been kidnapped and assured the group that he would deliver the ransom along with his own.
After hours of anxious waiting, a long-awaited call arrived around 10 pm on Friday confirming Lawal’s release. She was taken to a hospital immediately following the payment, and by Saturday morning, she was on her way home and reunited with her family. Agbakwara expressed immense gratitude to everyone who contributed to the effort, emphasizing that the unified response was instrumental in securing her freedom.
The incident raises serious concerns about the safety of individuals travelling along critical routes and highlights the vulnerability of NYSC members during their service assignments. Authorities are reportedly investigating the kidnapping, and further details are awaited as the investigation unfolds.
