RismadarVoice Reporters
November 6, 2026
The family of a recently discharged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, identified as Dapo Obajeun, has appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to secure his release following the abduction of travellers along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Road in Ogun State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, November 3, when armed men attacked a commercial bus travelling towards Ibadan.
Dapo’s sister, Abigeal, told journalists on Thursday that her brother had completed his national service in Edo State and was returning home when the incident occurred.
According to her, Dapo had been communicating with relatives and had sent videos showing traffic congestion before his phone became unreachable.
The family later learnt about the attack from another passenger who reportedly escaped.
Abigeal said the kidnappers contacted the family on Wednesday using Dapo’s phone, initially demanding ₦20 million before increasing the ransom to ₦25 million.
She added that the abductors gave the family a 24-hour deadline to make payment.
The family reportedly heard Dapo’s voice briefly during one of the calls before the kidnappers took control of the conversation.
Abigeal said the family could not afford the demanded amount and appealed for urgent government intervention.
She also disclosed that police officers and local vigilantes had searched the surrounding forest without immediately locating the victims.
The abandoned vehicle and passengers’ belongings were subsequently recovered, with Dapo’s luggage returned to his family.
An escaped passenger alleged that the driver diverted onto a bush path after encountering traffic despite objections from passengers.
He claimed that armed men subsequently surrounded the vehicle and opened fire.
The circumstances surrounding the driver’s decision and the alleged shooting have not been independently established.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that travellers were abducted along the route but disputed reports identifying the victims as NYSC members.
Police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi maintained that no serving corps member was among those abducted and said investigations were ongoing.
However, relatives and separate media investigations identified some victims as individuals who had recently completed their national service.
The families have urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of everyone abducted.
