The family of a recently discharged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, identified as Dapo, has appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies for urgent assistance following his abduction along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Road in Ogun State.
Dapo was reportedly travelling with nine other passengers when armed men intercepted their vehicle and took them away. The incident has left his family distressed, particularly after the kidnappers contacted them and demanded ₦25 million for the release of the victims.
According to information shared by the family, Dapo had completed his mandatory national service the previous week and was travelling from Edo State to Ibadan when the incident occurred on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
His sister, Abigeal, explained that the family maintained contact with him throughout the journey. She said Dapo sent a video showing heavy traffic along the highway, giving his relatives an indication of his location and progress before communication suddenly stopped.
The family initially became concerned when they could no longer reach his phone. Their fears increased around 7pm when another passenger who reportedly escaped from the attack contacted them and informed them about the abduction.
The development has prompted the family to seek immediate intervention, as they struggle to understand how the incident happened and what steps they can take to secure his freedom.
NYSC Member Abduction: Kidnappers Demand ₦25 Million
The situation became more distressing when the kidnappers reportedly contacted Dapo’s family using his mobile phone on Wednesday, a day after the attack.
Abigeal said the abductors initially demanded ₦20 million as ransom, placing the family under pressure to raise the money within a short period. During the conversation, the relatives reportedly heard Dapo’s voice briefly before the kidnappers took control of the call and continued discussing their demands.
However, the financial demand increased during a subsequent conversation, with the abductors reportedly raising the ransom to ₦25 million.
According to his sister, the kidnappers contacted them again at approximately 6:59pm and gave them a 24-hour deadline to provide the money. The sudden increase has further complicated the family’s efforts, particularly as raising such a substantial amount at short notice may prove difficult.
The family has expressed serious concern about Dapo’s safety and the condition of the other passengers who remain in captivity. They have therefore called on the Federal Government, the Ogun State Government and relevant security agencies to intervene rather than leave them to handle the situation alone.
Abigeal also disclosed that authorities recovered the commercial vehicle involved in the incident, alongside belongings belonging to the passengers. The recovered items were reportedly taken to the Ijebu-Ode Police Station.
Despite the recovery, the whereabouts of Dapo and the other abducted passengers remained unknown at the time of the report.
Police Confirm Highway Abduction, Dispute Corps Members’ Involvement
Details of the attack also emerged through a voice note reportedly shared by a passenger who escaped from the incident.
In his account, the passenger explained that the driver diverted from the main highway into a bush path while attempting to navigate traffic congestion. He claimed that armed men suddenly surrounded the vehicle and opened fire, leaving the passengers with little opportunity to escape.
The passenger further alleged that the attackers shot one person before taking the remaining occupants into the surrounding bush.
The account has raised additional concerns about the circumstances surrounding the attack, particularly the vulnerability of motorists travelling through isolated sections of major highways.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that an abduction occurred along the Ogun section of the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Road. However, the command disputed reports that corps members were among the victims.
The police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, maintained that the command had not confirmed the abduction of any serving corps member in connection with the incident.
This clarification is important because Dapo had reportedly completed his national service before the attack, making him a recently discharged corps member rather than someone still serving under the NYSC scheme.
Meanwhile, the family continues to appeal for government intervention and assistance from security agencies, hoping that coordinated rescue efforts will bring Dapo and the other victims home safely.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the security challenges facing travellers on Nigerian highways, where attacks by armed criminals continue to create fear among motorists and passengers.
For Dapo’s relatives, the immediate priority remains his safe return, as they wait for authorities to intensify efforts to locate the abductors and rescue everyone involved.
