Family of abducted NYSC member appeals to FG as ransom demand rises to N25m

The family of a recently discharged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member has appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies for assistance in rescuing their son, Dapo, who was abducted along with nine other individuals. The incident occurred on Tuesday on the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Road, shortly after the group departed Ijebu-Ode en route to Ibadan. Dapo’s sister, Abigeal, stated that the family has been in contact with authorities since the abduction, but the kidnappers have increased their ransom demand from N20 million to N25 million, setting a deadline for payment by Thursday.

According to Abigeal, Dapo had completed his posting in Edo State the previous week and was travelling back to Ibadan. He maintained communication with his family during the journey, sending videos of traffic conditions on the road. His last known contact was a video message showing the traffic; shortly after, he became unreachable. It was not until approximately 7:00 pm on Tuesday that one of the co-travellers managed to escape. This individual contacted Dapo’s brother to inform him that the bus had been attacked and that ten people, including Dapo, had been kidnapped.

Background

The abduction took place on the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Road, a route connecting two major cities in southwestern Nigeria. Dapo was one of ten NYSC members who had recently completed their service in Edo State. Upon receiving the news of the attack, police officers and vigilantes immediately entered the bush area where the incident occurred. However, they returned without any news of the victims. The family visited the Ijebu-Ode Police Station on Wednesday to follow up on the case. Officials at the station advised the family to remain calm and wait for the kidnappers to make contact, stating that their operatives had not yet returned with information. Shortly after the family left the station, they received a call from Dapo’s phone. During the brief conversation, Dapo’s voice was heard saying, “Hello, mummy,” before the kidnappers took control of the device. They initially demanded N20 million. A second call was made later that evening, around 6:59 pm, where the demand was raised to N25 million, with the deadline set for Thursday. The kidnappers also issued a warning during the call, stating that if the family did not comply, they would cry. The bus used by the victims has been recovered, along with their luggage, and is currently in the custody of the police. The family was handed over Dapo’s personal belongings on Wednesday.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by travellers on major highways in southwestern Nigeria, particularly affecting young people returning from their national service postings. The family has expressed frustration with the initial lack of progress from security agencies, noting that police and vigilantes returned from the scene without any leads. Abigeal mentioned that other families of the abducted corps members are also attempting to raise funds to meet the ransom demands, as seen on social media platforms. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of NYSC members during transit and the pressure on families to pay large sums of money within tight deadlines. The Federal Government has been directly appealed to intervene, reflecting a lack of confidence in the current local response efforts.

What happens next

The kidnappers have set a deadline of Thursday for the payment of the N25 million ransom. The family is currently in discussions with the police, who have advised them to wait for further developments. No official statement from the Federal Government or the National Security Adviser has been reported in the source material regarding the specific appeal. The case remains active, with the victims still missing and the recovered bus and luggage serving as evidence in the ongoing investigation.