The family of a recently discharged National Youth Service Corps member, Dapo, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to rescue him and nine other travellers abducted by gunmen along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Road in Ogun State.
The desperate appeal came after the kidnappers allegedly increased their ransom demand from N20 million to N25 million and gave the family 24 hours to produce the money.
Dapo was reportedly returning to Ibadan from Edo State on Tuesday after completing his NYSC programme the previous week when the incident occurred.
His sister, Abigeal, said the family became worried after losing contact with him shortly after he sent a video showing traffic congestion along the highway.
She said their worst fears were confirmed around 7pm when a fellow corps member who escaped from the kidnappers contacted the family and disclosed that their vehicle had been attacked.
According to her, the escaped victim revealed that Dapo and nine other passengers had been taken into the bush by the armed men.
The family subsequently reported the incident at the Ijebu-Ode Police Station, while police officers and local vigilantes reportedly launched a search operation in the surrounding forest.
However, the search had yet to establish the whereabouts of the victims.
Abigeal said the kidnappers later contacted the family using Dapo’s telephone, initially demanding N20 million for his release and that of the other victims.
She said the family briefly heard her brother’s voice during the call when he greeted their mother before the abductors took over the conversation and made their ransom demand.
The kidnappers reportedly called again around 6:59pm, raising the demand to N25 million and insisting that the money must be paid within 24 hours.
The family said repeated pleas for more time were unsuccessful, adding that they lacked the financial capacity to raise the amount.
The abductors were also said to have threatened that the victims would remain in captivity if their demands were not met.
Meanwhile, the vehicle conveying the victims and some of their luggage were recovered and taken to the police station.
Recounting how the attack happened, the corps member who escaped alleged that the driver suddenly diverted from the main highway into a bush path shortly after they passed Ijebu-Ode.
He said the passengers became suspicious and reportedly shouted at the driver to reverse, but he continued driving into the bush.
According to him, armed men suddenly emerged and opened fire as the vehicle approached their hideout.
He alleged that one of the occupants was shot during the attack, while he managed to escape by hiding as the gunmen took the others away.
The incident has thrown the victims’ families into panic, with relatives reportedly struggling to raise money for the ransom while appealing for government intervention.
However, the Ogun State Police Command disputed claims that 10 corps members were among those abducted, although it acknowledged that an abduction had occurred along the route.
The police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
The conflicting accounts have heightened concerns among the affected families, who are demanding urgent action to secure their loved ones’ freedom.
Abigeal appealed directly to Tinubu, the Federal Government and security agencies to intervene before the situation deteriorates.
She said the family was particularly distressed after hearing Dapo’s voice during the kidnappers’ call, adding that they feared for his safety after spending days in captivity.
The family also appealed to Nigerians to support efforts to secure the release of Dapo and the other abducted travellers.
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