A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped on the Benin-Ore Expressway, has regained her freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1 million. Lawal, who was travelling from Benin City in Edo State to Ibadan in Oyo State to resume at her place of primary assignment, was abducted on Tuesday, sparking a wave of concern and anxiety among her family, friends, and colleagues.
Lawal’s ordeal began when she was travelling along the notorious Benin-Ore Expressway, a route often targeted by criminals due to its long stretches and sparse traffic. According to reports, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N20 million for her release. However, after a series of negotiations, they agreed to reduce the demand to N5 million, which remained beyond the financial reach of her family.
A close friend of Lawal, who identified himself as Agbakwara, explained that the kidnappers had warned the family that failure to meet their demands would result in dire consequences for the young NYSC member. “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 post on Facebook.
The incident highlights the growing problem of kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, where roads in both rural and urban areas have become dangerous due to the increasing number of abductions. The Benin-Ore Expressway, in particular, has gained a reputation for being a hotspot for such criminal activities, leading to fears among travellers, especially those moving between cities.
Despite the kidnappers’ initial demand, the family, with the help of friends, colleagues, and community members, managed to raise a total of N1.1 million. This sum, though far below the original demand, was considered the best option to secure Lawal’s release. Agbakwara confirmed that the amount was sent to the kidnappers on Friday at around 4:20 pm.
The process was a tense one, with the kidnappers continually pressing the family for payment while also threatening harm if the ransom was not delivered. “Through the generosity of many, we were able to gather N1.1 million, which we transferred to an account provided by the abductors,” Agbakwara said. He added that the kidnappers had claimed that their own sister had been abducted, further complicating the negotiations.
Lawal was released on Friday night after the ransom was paid. She was reportedly taken to a hospital for medical attention due to the physical and emotional toll of the ordeal. According to Agbakwara, Lawal was reunited with her family by Saturday morning. “For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital,” he stated.
The swift release came as a relief to the family, who had been under tremendous stress since the abduction. While they are grateful for her safe return, they have also expressed concerns about the growing menace of kidnapping and the need for stronger security measures, especially on highways like the Benin-Ore Expressway, which have become notorious for such attacks.
The abduction of Rofiat Lawal is just one of many kidnapping incidents that have been reported in Nigeria in recent years. The country has seen a sharp rise in abductions, with many kidnappers targeting travellers, particularly along major highways and in rural areas.
