Aminat Lawal, the sister of the recently kidnapped National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rofiat Lawal, has shared heartbreaking details of the abduction that occurred along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday. Rofiat, who was on her way back to her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) in Oyo State, was abducted by a group of suspected Fulani kidnappers after being handed over to them by the driver of the vehicle she was traveling in.

In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro, Aminat revealed that her sister, Rofiat, had been traveling with other passengers when the driver stopped at Ore. It was at this point that the kidnappers emerged from a nearby bush and seized the passengers. The driver, having stopped at the location, quickly sped away, leaving Rofiat and the others in the hands of the kidnappers.

Ransom Demand and Desperate Plea for Help

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N25 million for Rofiat’s release, but after several negotiations, the amount was reduced to N5 million. Aminat, speaking on the ordeal, explained, “When we spoke with the kidnappers, they asked us to bring N25 million, and we told them that we did not have such money. She is the one who sponsored herself in school. They have reduced the ransom to N5 million.”

The family, unable to meet such a high ransom demand, has turned to crowdfunding to raise the necessary amount. In a separate conversation, Agbakwara, a friend of the victim, also confirmed the details of the abduction, including the involvement of the driver in handing the passengers over to the kidnappers. “This evening, the kidnappers allowed my friend and the other victims to call their families. She told me in tears that they were handed over to the Fulani kidnappers after the vehicle they were in dropped them off and drove away,” Agbakwara said. “She has already spent two days in captivity, and we don’t know what will happen next.”

NYSC Response and Concerns

The Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Odoba Abel Oche, confirmed the kidnapping, noting that Rofiat had traveled to Benin without informing the NYSC authorities, which was against the NYSC’s travel guidelines. “We were not aware of the incident before her parents reported it,” Oche said in a telephone conversation with PUNCH Metro. He mentioned that security agencies had been alerted and that the NYSC had contacted the national headquarters as well as the NYSC authorities in Edo and Ondo states. However, he was unaware of any ransom demand at the time of the conversation.

In light of this incident, Oche reiterated the NYSC’s emphasis on the need for corps members to always inform authorities before traveling and to avoid traveling at night. The increasing frequency of kidnappings in the region has raised alarms, with security operatives working to address the surge in abductions.

A Broader Trend of Kidnappings

The kidnapping of Rofiat Lawal is part of a larger worrying trend of abductions across the country. In the past two weeks, there have been at least five other reported kidnappings. On February 17, gunmen abducted the National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Eniola Ojajuni, in Abuja. Additionally, four female students from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Benue State, were also kidnapped on Tuesday by unknown gunmen on the university campus.

The PUNCH Metro had reported in July 2024 that four corps members and an artisan were kidnapped in Ondo State, with each family forced to pay a ransom of N1 million for their release. These incidents highlight the ongoing threat posed by criminal groups who target both individuals and groups traveling along major highways.

A Desperate Call for Action

The family of Rofiat Lawal, alongside her friend Agbakwara, is urgently appealing for any form of assistance to raise the ransom and facilitate her release. “Please, Nigerians, any amount you can donate will go a long way. We can’t wait any longer. Let’s come together and help bring her back safely,” Agbakwara pleaded.

As the situation continues to unfold, there is a growing need for heightened security and preventive measures to combat the rising tide of kidnappings. While efforts are underway to secure the release of Rofiat Lawal, the broader problem remains a significant concern for both local communities and authorities.