Kidnappers receive N42m, free 7 abducted Kwara commuters

Seven passengers kidnapped on their way from Abuja to Offa, Kwara State, have regained freedom after spending 25 days in captivity. Their release followed the payment of a N42 million ransom, Daily Trust has gathered. The victims were abducted on April 19, 2025, around Obbo-Aiyegunle in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state. They were […]

Seven passengers kidnapped on their way from Abuja to Offa, Kwara State, have regained freedom after spending 25 days in captivity.

Their release followed the payment of a N42 million ransom, Daily Trust has gathered.

The victims were abducted on April 19, 2025, around Obbo-Aiyegunle in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state. They were travelling in a Sienna bus operated by Olumoh Express when their vehicle was intercepted by the kidnappers.

Sources familiar with the incident confirmed to Daily Trust that the victims were released at midnight over the weekend. Their families had earlier raised alarm over their  disappearance.

A member of the fundraising team, who asked not to be named, said the Offa community mobilised funds from indigenes to meet the kidnappers’ demands.

“A prominent indigene of the town donated N12 million to support the effort,” the source revealed, adding that the abductors rejected an initial payment of N14 million, insisting on full compliance with their demand.

Eventually, over N40 million was paid in two instalments, leading to the release of the victims.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, for official confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls and a text message sent to her line were not returned as of press time.

However, the National President of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Dr. Muideen Salako, confirmed the development in a telephone interview.

He said the victims had been reunited with their families after undergoing medical attention.

“As a community, we took the painful decision to raise the ransom. It was not ideal, but we couldn’t risk the lives of our people. Law enforcement agencies are often helpless in these situations because the victims are used as human shields by the kidnappers,” he said.

“We initially paid N14 million, which they collected without releasing the victims. They later demanded another N28 million, which we also paid,” he added.