A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member 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.
According to a Facebook post by a user identified as Agbakwara, Lawal was taken while onboard a bus bound for Ore. The abductors have reportedly demanded a N20 million ransom for her release.
Agbakwara shared the distressing news, stating:
“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.”
She further revealed that Lawal had worked tirelessly to support herself through university and that her parents are financially incapable of meeting the ransom demand.
The Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Odoba Oche, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro on Thursday, February 27. He stated that security agencies had been alerted, but he could not confirm whether the kidnappers had reached out for ransom.
“Her parents reported the incident to us yesterday. We have contacted the National Headquarters, as well as the Ondo and Edo state NYSC offices, and security agencies have been alerted for necessary action,” Oche stated.
He also noted that Lawal had traveled without notifying NYSC authorities, contrary to the scheme’s regulations.
Authorities are currently working on the case, and efforts are ongoing to secure Lawal’s safe release.
