A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Ibadan, Oyo State, Rofiat Lawal, has been abducted by unidentified gunmen along the Benin-Ore Expressway while traveling back to her place of primary assignment in Ogbomosho.
Reports indicate that Lawal was taken on Tuesday while returning from Benin, Edo State. A social media post by her friend, Agbakwara, revealed that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of ₦20 million for her release.
“My close friend, Lawal Rofiat Kofoworola, was kidnapped on her way from Benin to Ibadan to resume her PPA in Ogbomosho. She managed to call yesterday and told me she was inside an Ore-bound bus when she was taken,” Agbakwara wrote.
“This is someone who has struggled all her life, supporting herself through university by working at the Dufil company in Benin. Now, kidnappers are demanding ₦20 million, and we don’t know what to do. Her parents are less privileged and can’t afford this.
“I have reported to the NYSC secretariat in Ibadan and dropped her call-up number, but there has been no response. We are exhausted and desperate for help!
“Please, Nigerians, I need your support. If there is any way you can assist by spreading this message, reaching the authorities, or any help at all please do. She has been my close friend since my 100 level, and I haven’t been myself since this happened,” the post read.
Confirming the incident, the Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Odoba Oche, said the NYSC was notified of the abduction by Lawal’s parents on Wednesday. He added that security agencies had been alerted and were working on the case.
“We have contacted the National Headquarters, the Ondo and Edo State NYSC, and we have also alerted security agencies for necessary action. I am not aware if the kidnappers have reached out to demand ransom,” Oche said.
He also noted that Lawal had traveled without notifying NYSC authorities, in violation of safety guidelines.
“She went home to Benin without informing the NYSC authority against the instruction of NYSC. NYSC has continued to emphasize to corps members the need to always notify authorities before they travel and to also avoid night travels,” he added.
