Gunmen Abduct 10 Travellers in Ogun, Demand ₦25 Million Ransom

Families of 10 travellers abducted by armed men in Ogun State have appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies for urgent assistance after the kidnappers reportedly increased their ransom demand to ₦25 million.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan road around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, while travelling towards Ibadan.

The incident has caused serious concern among relatives, particularly as the abductors have continued contacting families and demanding money for the release of their loved ones.

One of the victims has been identified as 24-year-old Olusoji Adedapo, popularly known as Dapo, who recently completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Edo State and was returning to Ibadan after his passing-out ceremony.

According to reports, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦20 million before increasing the amount to ₦25 million, leaving the affected families struggling to raise the money.

The development has renewed concerns about the safety of travellers using major roads and highways in southwestern Nigeria.

How the Abduction Happened

Details surrounding the incident were provided by relatives of the victims, who explained that the travellers were attacked after their vehicle reportedly diverted from the main road into a bush path.

Adeseye Timilehin, a cousin of Adedapo, said the family had been receiving updates about his journey from Benin City in Edo State.

According to him, Dapo had been communicating with relatives and sharing videos showing traffic conditions along the route.

However, the journey became dangerous after the passengers reportedly encountered heavy traffic and became concerned about travelling late into the evening.

Timilehin said the passengers had advised the driver to return to Benin City and continue the journey the following morning because it was already getting late.

The driver reportedly insisted on continuing towards Ibadan.

When they arrived around the Ijebu area at approximately 7 p.m., armed men allegedly appeared and attacked the vehicle.

According to the family account, the driver swerved towards a bush path when the gunmen appeared, forcing the passengers to flee.

One passenger managed to escape by hiding in the surrounding bush, while the others were reportedly captured by the attackers.

The survivor later contacted relatives and provided information about what happened.

He was subsequently rescued by police officers and taken to a police station.

Police and Vigilantes Begin Search Operation

Following the incident, police officers and local vigilantes reportedly launched a search operation in the surrounding forest in an attempt to locate the missing travellers.

However, the initial search did not produce a breakthrough, leaving families increasingly worried about the safety of their relatives.

Timilehin explained that the survivor informed the family that security operatives had arrived at the scene and organised efforts to search the surrounding area.

On Wednesday morning, relatives of Adedapo travelled from Ibadan to Awa-Ijebu to seek information about the incident and find out what was being done to secure the victims’ release.

The family reportedly visited the police station, where they received information about the ongoing search.

Some belongings recovered from the abandoned vehicle, including Dapo’s luggage, were handed over to his relatives.

Despite the search efforts, the victims had not been located as of the latest reports.

Kidnappers Increase Ransom Demand to ₦25 Million

The situation became more distressing when the abductors reportedly contacted the family using Dapo’s telephone number.

According to Timilehin, the first ransom demand was ₦20 million.

During the conversation, Dapo’s mother reportedly broke down in tears and pleaded with the kidnappers, explaining that the family could not afford such a huge amount.

The abductors briefly allowed the family to hear Dapo’s voice, giving them an opportunity to confirm that he was still alive.

However, the call ended after the kidnappers refused to reduce their demand.

The situation became more complicated when the abductors contacted the family again later that evening and increased the ransom from ₦20 million to ₦25 million.

The kidnappers reportedly gave the family a deadline to provide the money and subsequently switched off the telephone number they had used.

The repeated demands have placed enormous pressure on relatives, who say they are struggling to raise the required amount.

Victim Appeals to Family for Financial Assistance

In another disturbing development, the abductors reportedly allowed Dapo to communicate directly with members of his family.

Timilehin said his cousin appealed to relatives to contact friends, well-wishers and other people who might be able to assist with raising the ransom.

During one of the conversations, Dapo reportedly asked how much money the family had managed to gather.

Timilehin explained that relatives had only raised ₦700,000 at the time of the conversation, an amount far below the kidnappers’ ₦25 million demand.

He said Dapo’s voice was shaking as he pleaded with the family to continue making efforts to secure his release.

The family has since been making frantic efforts to mobilise financial support while appealing to authorities to intensify rescue operations.

The incident has also generated concern among relatives and members of the public, particularly because the victims have reportedly spent several days in captivity.

Conflicting Reports About NYSC Members

There have been different accounts concerning the identities of those abducted.

While some initial reports described the victims as serving NYSC members, a separate report by ABN TV cited the Ogun State Police Command as saying that none of those abducted was a serving corps member.

Adedapo, however, was identified by his family as a recently discharged corps member who completed his national service in Edo State the previous week.

The distinction is important because he had already completed his service before the incident occurred.

The other victims’ identities have not all been publicly established in the available reports.

Ogun Police Confirm Investigation

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaeyi Ogunnaike, said the command was investigating the circumstances surrounding the abduction.

He added that efforts were being made to secure the release of the victims.

The development comes amid continuing concerns about kidnapping and attacks on travellers in different parts of the country.

Families of the abducted passengers are appealing to the Federal Government, Ogun and Oyo State governments, and relevant security agencies to strengthen rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of their loved ones.

Growing Concerns Over Road Safety

The abduction has once again drawn attention to the security challenges faced by motorists and passengers travelling between major Nigerian cities.

The Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan route connects important communities in southwestern Nigeria and serves as a passage for commercial vehicles, private motorists and people travelling for business, education and family activities.

The reported incident has raised fresh questions about the safety of travellers, particularly those using unfamiliar routes or travelling late in the evening.

Security experts have repeatedly emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering, effective patrols and cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies in addressing kidnapping incidents.

For the affected families, however, the immediate priority remains the safe return of the 10 travellers.

As efforts continue, relatives are urging security authorities to intensify operations and locate the victims before the situation deteriorates further.

The families also hope that public attention and government intervention will help bring an end to their ordeal and reunite them with their loved ones.