Abducted NYSC Member Regains Freedom After ₦1.1M Ransom Payment
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rofiat Lawal, was abducted on Tuesday while traveling from Benin, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, where she was to commence her primary assignment.
The assailants initially demanded a ransom of ₦20 million for her release. Through intense negotiations, this amount was reduced to ₦5 million, a sum still beyond the family’s financial capacity.
Lawal’s friend, identified as Agbakwara, spearheaded a fundraising campaign, reaching out to friends, colleagues, and community members. Their collective efforts amassed ₦1.1 million, which was transferred to an account provided by the kidnappers on Friday afternoon. The recipient, one Isaac Ayo, claimed his sister had also been kidnapped and assured that he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.
After hours of anxious waiting, Lawal was released late Friday night and reunited with her family by Saturday morning, following medical evaluation. Agbakwara expressed profound gratitude to all who contributed, shared the news, and contacted relevant authorities, acknowledging that their support was instrumental in securing Lawal’s safe return.
This incident underscores the recurring threat faced by NYSC members and travelers on Nigerian roads. In January 2025, another corps member, Rhoda Odeyale, was abducted in Rivers State and released after a ₦1.5 million ransom was collectively raised by the public and her former schoolmates.
Similarly, in August 2023, Miss Esther Akande was kidnapped en route to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Nasarawa State and freed after her family paid a ₦1 million ransom.
The frequency of such abductions has raised concerns about the safety of corps members and the effectiveness of security measures on major highways. While the NYSC management has sometimes denied involvement in ransom payments, as in the case of the Zamfara abductions in December 2023, the recurring nature of these incidents calls for a comprehensive review of security protocols to ensure the safety of young Nigerians serving their nation.
The collaborative efforts of communities, as demonstrated in Lawal’s case, highlight the resilience and solidarity among Nigerians in the face of adversity. However, reliance on communal fundraising to secure the release of abducted individuals is neither sustainable nor a substitute for robust security measures. There is an urgent need for authorities to intensify efforts in securing highways, implementing preventive measures, and ensuring that those responsible for such heinous acts are brought to justice.
As the nation grapples with these security challenges, the welfare and safety of NYSC members must remain a priority. It is imperative for the government and security agencies to reassess and strengthen strategies to protect citizens, particularly those undertaking national service, to restore confidence in the safety of Nigeria’s roadways.