Gunmen have issued a staggering ransom demand of N500 million for the release of five construction workers abducted in Kwara State. The victims were seized from a government road project site over two weeks ago, plunging their families into a desperate crisis.
Details of the Kidnapping and Ransom Demand
The abduction occurred on 15th December, 2025, around 11:40 a.m. at the state government's construction site on the Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road in Isin Local Government Area. The armed bandits stormed the site in broad daylight and took away five workers: Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Emmanuel Okuwadare Kayode, Fatai Akin, and their driver, Yusuf.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin on Saturday, the families' spokesperson, Mr. Dare Boyinbogun, revealed that the kidnappers have made contact. "The abductors have contacted the families of the victims with the N500 million ransom demand," he stated. He expressed deep frustration, alleging that the state government has shown neglect, forcing the families to go public with their plight.
Boyinbogun explained that the bandits have refused further negotiations with the community or families. "They are insisting that the negotiation must be with the government or with no one at all," he said. All efforts to get the state Ministry of Works to intervene have been abortive, as "the government seems not to be serious about it."
Families' Desperate Plea and Hardship
The families described the kidnapped men as innocent professionals and labourers contributing to Kwara's development, not criminals or adventurers. "Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair," Boyinbogun lamented.
He highlighted the severe consequences of the abduction beyond the immediate fear for the victims' lives:
- Economic Distress: Many families have no other source of income, leading to hunger and total uncertainty.
- Psychological Trauma: Wives, children, and elderly parents are in deep psychological distress.
- Personal Tragedy: Idayat Lade, a wife of one victim, disclosed she recently lost a baby due to the emotional torture of the crisis.
While acknowledging security agencies' efforts, Boyinbogun stressed that "time is not on our side." He issued a direct appeal to the kidnappers: "These men are fathers, sons and brothers. Please release them unharmed."
Urgent Calls to Government and Security Agencies
The embattled families presented a list of urgent demands to the Kwara State Government and security authorities:
- Intensify Rescue Efforts: Treat the abduction as a top-priority emergency until all victims are safely returned.
- Establish Direct Communication: Provide official information to families to prevent reliance on rumours and social media.
- Provide Immediate Support: Offer welfare assistance and counselling to distressed households.
- Increase Security Presence: Deploy stronger security along construction corridors and rural roads to prevent further attacks.
"To the authorities, we say: do not let these families become forgotten statistics. Let action speak louder than assurances," the families pleaded.
Related Incident: Governor Condemns Attack on Protesters
In a separate development, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered the police to apprehend hoodlums who attacked women protesters near the Kwara State Government House. Reacting to a viral video of the weekend incident, the Governor stated on his official X account that he was enraged, calling peaceful protest a democratic right.
"Assault on protesters is unacceptable... I have requested the police to fish out the attackers and bring them to account," Governor AbdulRazaq declared, distancing his administration from the incident.
