The media on Monday that the kidnappers, suspected to be armed bandits operating around the Osi-Offa axis of the state, are now demanding an outrageous ransom of N50 million for the release of all captives, after allegedly collecting an undisclosed amount earlier.
At least seven residents of Kwara State abducted during the Easter celebration in April are still in the custody of their abductors, SaharaReporters has exclusively gathered.
Family members of the victims on Monday that the kidnappers, suspected to be armed bandits operating around the Osi-Offa axis of the state, are now demanding an outrageous ransom of N50 million for the release of all captives, after allegedly collecting an undisclosed amount earlier.
One of the victims, identified as Alabi Habibat Yemisi, was abducted on April 20, 2025, while returning from Abuja. She was in a commercial vehicle when the terrorists struck and took all adult passengers, reportedly leaving behind only children.
Speaking to SaharaReporters in an exclusive interview, a relative of Yemisi narrated the trauma the family has endured.
“She was returning from Abuja and was kidnapped around Osi, Kwara State. My stepmum; she had gone to visit our elder brother. Some amount was paid, but I don’t know exactly how much. And after that, they refused to release her. Now they are demanding N10 million per head,” the source said.
According to the family, each time the terrorists call to make threats or negotiate, Yemisi is tortured in the background for the family to hear.
“Honestly, I feel helpless. I pity our dad the most. The Kwara State Government has failed us. They have no plan to protect lives. If this were happening along the Ilorin axis, they would have acted swiftly. But this is Offa people being targeted, and the government is silent,” the source lamented.
The abduction of Yemisi and others marks one of at least three separate kidnapping incidents that have occurred in the same area in recent weeks.
SaharaReporters earlier reported how Barrister Elizabeth Arinde, Head of the Legal Department at Oke Ero Local Government in Kwara State, was also kidnapped by the suspected terrorists at the same axis.
According to a statement from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and signed by S.M.H Kosemani Esq, the Chairman NBA, Ilorin Branch, Barrister Arinde was abducted on Friday, April 25, 2025, while travelling from Oke Ero Local Government Area to Ilorin, alongside the Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPM) of the Local Government.
“We are deeply concerned to inform you that Barrister Elizabeth Arinde, Head of the Legal Department at Oke Ero Local Government in Kwara State, has been kidnapped,” the NBA statement said.
The association also stated that Barrister Arinde’s phone line had become unreachable and that her whereabouts remained unknown.
Speaking further, Yemisi’s relative also corroborated these incidents.
“After their kidnapping, two other incidents happened in that same spot. A politician—an ex-local government chairman—was kidnapped, and shortly after that, a lawyer too. There are about seven people in captivity as we speak,” the source added.
Despite the rising wave of abductions along the Osi-Offa route, the Kwara State Government has remained largely mute, with no visible security intervention in the affected areas, leaving residents increasingly vulnerable and terrified.
Another relative confirmed that Yemisi, one of the abducted persons, is a woman battling a medical condition and has been without access to her medications since the abduction.
“One of them is Alabi Habibat Yemisi. The most painful part is that she’s on medication. She’s being tortured, and the family hears it during calls. It’s psychological warfare. I think the ransom was paid collectively, but I overheard they’re now demanding N50 million for all of them.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had not responded to the developments. Multiple calls to the state police spokesperson, DSP Ejire Toun, went unanswered, and she has yet to respond to a message seeking her comment.
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