A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway, has regained her freedom after her family paid a ₦1.1 million ransom.

PUNCH Online reports that Lawal was abducted while traveling from Benin, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, where she was to resume her primary assignment.

Ransom Negotiation and Release

The kidnappers initially demanded ₦20 million, an amount her family could not afford. After intense negotiations, the ransom was reduced to ₦5 million before the abductors finally accepted ₦1.1 million.

Confirming her release, a close friend, Agbakwara, shared an update via Facebook on Saturday, along with a video of Lawal.

“In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return.

In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could—her school colleagues, the Muslim association, friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family,” Agbakwara wrote.

Through collective efforts, ₦1.1 million was raised and transferred at 4:20 p.m. on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers.

“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own,” Agbakwara added.

Safe Return and Gratitude

Lawal was reunited with her family on Saturday morning.

“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 p.m., we received the long-awaited call—they had been released and taken to the hospital.

This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.

This incident adds to the growing concern over insecurity along the Benin-Ore Expressway, where multiple cases of kidnappings and armed attacks have been reported in recent months.