A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Oyo State, Rofiat Lawal, has been abducted by unknown gunmen along the Benin-Ore Expressway.
According to a Facebook post by a concerned friend, Lawal was on her way back from Benin, Edo State, to resume at her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) in Ogbomosho when she was taken.
The abductors are reportedly demanding ₦20 million for her release.
The post highlighted Lawal’s struggles, revealing that she had worked tirelessly to support herself through university and now faces an uncertain fate.
“Her parents are less privileged and can’t afford this ransom. We have reported the matter to the NYSC secretariat in Ibadan, but no response yet,” the friend lamented.
Oyo State NYSC Coordinator, Odoba Oche, confirmed the abduction, stating that the matter had been escalated to the National Headquarters, as well as NYSC offices in Ondo and Edo states. Security operatives have also been alerted.
Oche, however, noted that Lawal had traveled without notifying NYSC, contrary to official directives. He urged corps members to always inform authorities before embarking on trips and to avoid night journeys.
Lawal’s abduction adds to the growing concerns over the safety of travellers on Nigerian highways, with many calling for intensified security efforts to curb the rising menace of kidnapping.
