A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped on the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday, February 25, has been released after her family reportedly paid a ransom of N1.1 million.
Lawal was abducted while traveling from Benin, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, to resume at her place of primary assignment (PPA). Initially, the kidnappers demanded N20 million, but after negotiations, the amount was lowered to N5 million.
In an update on the situation, a friend of Lawal, Agbakwara, confirmed on Saturday that she had been freed, stating that a ransom of N1.1 million had been paid for her release.
Agbakwara shared the details of the tense situation, saying, “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we didn’t meet their demands, we shouldn’t expect her return. In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could—her colleagues, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family.”
Thanks to the collective efforts and generosity of many, they managed to raise the N1.1 million, which was transferred at 4:20 PM on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers. The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed his sister had also been abducted and assured the group that he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.
After hours of anxious waiting, they received a call around 10 PM confirming that Lawal had been released and was taken to a hospital. The following morning, they received another call to confirm that Lawal was on her way home and that the other victims had also safely reunited with their families.
Agbakwara expressed immense gratitude to all those who contributed and helped spread the word, saying, “Your support made this possible.”
“Alhamdulillah! God never fails. May none of you ever experience sorrow all the days of your life.”
