Bandits demand ₦500million ransom for abducted Kwara road workers

Bandits have demanded a ransom of ₦500 million for the release of five road construction workers kidnapped in Kwara state.

The workers were abducted on December 15, 2025, at a Kwara state government road construction site along the Sabaja/Owa-Onire road in Isin local government area.

Speaking with journalists on Monday in Ilorin, the families of the victims accused the state government of neglect and said the kidnappers had contacted them with the ransom demand.

Dare Boyinbogun, who spoke on behalf of the families, said the suspected bandits invaded the construction site at about 11:40 am and abducted Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Emmanuel Okuwadare Kayode, Fatai Akin and their driver, Yusuf.

“Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair. They demanded the sum of ₦500 million from us; how are we going to raise that?” he asked.

Boyinbogun said the victims were innocent workers contributing to the development of Kwara state and the country.

“They were not criminals or adventurers; they went to work believing they would return home safely. Instead, their families have been thrown into anguish and despair,” he added.

While acknowledging the efforts of the police and other security agencies, Boyinbogun said time was running out for the families.

“Every passing hour deepens the trauma of the families, especially the wives, children and elderly parents who depend entirely on these men for survival. Beyond fear for their lives, there is now hunger, psychological distress and total uncertainty,” he stated.

The families appealed to the Kwara state government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and treat the abduction as an emergency.

“We are appealing to the government to come to our aid, establish direct communication with the affected families, provide welfare support and counselling, and strengthen security along construction corridors and rural roads,” Boyinbogun said.

Appealing directly to the abductors, he said: “These men are fathers, sons and brothers; please release them unharmed.”