Rofiat Lawal, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Ibadan, Oyo State, has been kidnapped by unknown assailants along the Benin-Ore Expressway.
According to a Facebook post by a user named Agbakwara, Lawal was traveling from Benin, Edo State, to her place of primary assignment in Ogbomosho when she was abducted. Agbakwara shared that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N20 million for her release.
Agbakwara wrote, “My close friend, Lawal Rofiat Kofoworola, was kidnapped while on her way from Benin to Ibadan to resume her PPA in Ogbomosho. She managed to call me yesterday and told me she was inside an Ore-bound bus when she was abducted.”
She went on to explain that Lawal had worked hard to support herself throughout university by working at Dufil company in Benin, making the abduction even more devastating for her family. “Her parents are less privileged and can’t afford this ransom,” Agbakwara added.
She reported that despite informing the NYSC secretariat in Ibadan and providing Lawal’s call-up number, there has been no response from them. Agbakwara appealed to the public, saying, “We are exhausted and desperate for help. Please, Nigerians, we need your support. If you can assist by spreading the message, reaching authorities, or any help at all, please do.”
The NYSC Coordinator for Oyo State, Odoba Oche, confirmed the kidnapping on Thursday, February 27. Oche stated that the family reported the incident to the NYSC, and security agencies had been notified, but he was unsure if the kidnappers had made a ransom demand.
Oche explained, “We were not aware of the incident until her parents reported it to us yesterday. We have contacted the National Headquarters, the Ondo and Edo NYSC offices, and alerted security agencies for the necessary action. I am not sure if the kidnappers have demanded ransom yet.”
He also highlighted that Lawal had traveled to Benin without informing the NYSC, which goes against the organization’s policy. “NYSC has emphasized to corps members the need to always notify authorities before traveling, especially to avoid night journeys,” Oche added.
