A home once peaceful now in anguish, pall of disarray has descended on Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, as a family cries out for help following the abduction of their patriarch — barely weeks after he had paid ₦5 million to secure the release of his three kidnapped children.
The victim, whose name was withheld for security reasons, was reportedly seized by his children’s abductors after delivering the ransom money in a forest located along the Kwara–Kogi axis. The kidnappers have since demanded an additional ₦10 million for his release.
Recounting the family’s ordeal, one of the freed victims, Hakeem Qowiyu, told The Nation that their nightmare began on the night of August 2, when heavily armed men stormed their home around 11 p.m.
“We were asleep when they broke in and took us away at gunpoint. They blindfolded us and forced us to walk for hours before taking us on motorcycles deep into the Baba Sango forest. We arrived there around 4 a.m.,” Hakeem narrated.
He said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦15 million for each of the three siblings but later reduced it to ₦5 million after several negotiations with their father.
“When my father brought the ₦5 million, they released me and my sister, who is a nursing mother. But to our shock, they refused to release him. They claimed the ransom was not enough,” he said tearfully.
Hakeem disclosed that there were about 15 other hostages from different parts of Kwara and Niger States at the camp, some of whom had spent several months in captivity.
The victim’s mother, Mrs Rasheedat Hakeem, who could barely contain her emotions, told The Nation that the family had sold virtually everything they owned to raise the ₦5 million ransom.
“We sold our farmlands, household items, and even borrowed from relatives. Now they are asking for another ₦10 million. We are helpless. We beg the government and kind-hearted Nigerians to intervene. My husband’s life is at stake,” she pleaded.
She added that the family had since relocated from their home, fearing another attack.
“My children still wake up at night screaming. We’ve spent so much on medical care. We just want him back alive,” she said.
When contacted, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the abduction, assuring residents that the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, was intensifying efforts to rescue the victim and others still held in captivity.
“The Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical teams to the affected areas. We are working with the military and other security agencies to restore calm and ensure the safe return of all abductees,” Ejire-Adeyemi stated.
She further noted that the command was strengthening intelligence networks across vulnerable communities to curb the rising wave of kidnappings in the state.
