A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Lawal Rofiat Kofoworola, has been abducted while traveling from Benin City, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, en route to her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) in Ogbomoso. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, when she boarded a bus heading towards Ore.
According to reports, the kidnappers have contacted Kofoworola’s family, demanding a ransom of ₦20 million for her release. A friend of the victim, identified as Agbakwara, expressed deep concern over the situation, stating, “We have been close friends since our 100 level. I haven’t been myself since this happened.”
Agbakwara also highlighted the financial difficulties faced by Kofoworola’s family, noting that her parents are unable to meet the kidnappers’ demands. Efforts to seek assistance have been made, including reporting the incident to the NYSC Secretariat in Ibadan and providing Kofoworola’s call-up number. However, there has been no official response from the authorities as of now.
The abduction has raised concerns about the safety of corps members traveling to their designated places of assignment. The NYSC has consistently advised members to inform authorities prior to traveling and to avoid night journeys. This incident underscores the importance of adhering to these guidelines to ensure the safety of corps members nationwide.
As the situation unfolds, friends and family of Kofoworola are appealing to the public and relevant authorities for support in securing her safe release. The lack of official communication has added to their distress, and they are desperate for any assistance that can be provided.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges faced by travelers on certain routes and the need for enhanced measures to protect citizens from such threats.
