Abducted corps member regains freedom after N1.1m ransom payment

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 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.

Tribune Online reports that Lawal was abducted while traveling from Benin, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, to resume at her place of primary assignment (PPA). 

The kidnappers had initially demanded N20 million, but after negotiations, they reduced the amount to N5 million.

Providing an update on the incident, a friend of Lawal, identified as Agbakwara, confirmed on Saturday that she had been released.

“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 shared in a Facebook post sighted by Tribune Online. 

He explained how efforts were made to gather the ransom, stating, “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.”

According to Agbakwara, the ransom was sent to a recipient named Isaac Ayo, who claimed his sister had also been kidnapped and assured them he would deliver the money alongside his own.

“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”

He noted that the abducted corps member 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.”