Bandits demand N500m for abducted Kwara road workers

Bandits have demanded a ransom of N500 million for the release of five road construction workers kidnapped in Kwara State.

It was reported that 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, led by Mr Dare Boyinbogun, accused the state government of neglect and said the kidnappers had contacted them with the huge ransom demand.

Boyinbogun recalled that the suspected bandits invaded the construction site at about 11:40 am, whisking away 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 500m from us. How are we going to raise that?” he lamented.

According to him, the victims were innocent workers contributing to the development of Kwara State and Nigeria.

“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.