Families of 10 travellers abducted by suspected bandits at Ijebu Awa, a boundary community between Ogun and Oyo states, have appealed for help as the kidnappers demand N25 million for their release.
One of the victims is 24-year-old Olusoji Adedapo, who completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Edo State last week and was travelling to Ibadan when the incident occurred on Tuesday.
Adedapo’s cousin, Adeseye Timilehin, said the victims were attacked around 7pm after the driver ignored passengers’ pleas to return to Benin City because of the late hour.
He explained that Adedapo was travelling with his friend, Tunde, who was the only passenger that escaped and alerted the family.
According to Timilehin, the family initially received a ransom demand of N20 million, which was later increased to N25 million. The abductors also allowed Adedapo to speak with his relatives, confirming that he was alive.
He said the kidnappers gave the family a 24-hour deadline and continued calling to ask how much had been raised.
Timilehin disclosed that the family had only managed to raise N700,000, adding that Adedapo’s voice was shaking when he pleaded with him to contact friends and well-wishers for financial assistance.
He said the family was making frantic efforts to raise the ransom and appealed for urgent intervention to secure the victims’ release.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command said investigation into the abduction was ongoing.
The police also clarified that none of the abd_cted passengers was a serving corps member, contrary to earlier reports. Adedapo had completed his national service the previous week.
