A National Youth Service Corps member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday, has regained her freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1 million. According to reports, Lawal was kidnapped while traveling from Benin, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, to resume at her place of primary assignment.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N20 million, which Lawal’s family claimed they could not afford. After a series of negotiations, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N1.1 million, which the family eventually paid to secure Lawal’s release.
Lawal’s friend, Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed on Saturday that Lawal had regained her freedom. The friend’s update confirmed that the ransom payment had been successful in securing Lawal’s safe release. The kidnapping incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in Nigeria, particularly along major highways. The incident also underscores the challenges faced by NYSC members and their families, who are often vulnerable to kidnapping and other forms of violence.
The successful rescue of Lawal is a welcome relief, and it is hoped that the authorities will take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of NYSC members and other citizens.
Sharing a video of the victim in a Facebook post, Agbakwara wrote, “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.
“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, her colleagues in school, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family. “Through the collective efforts and generosity of so many, we were able to raise N1.1 million, which was sent at 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers. “The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”He stated that Lawal was finally reunited with her family on Saturday morning.“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital.
“This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.
