Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ilorin, Nigeria — Families of construction workers kidnapped in Kwara State have issued an emotional appeal to the state government, security agencies and the public for urgent intervention after bandits demanded a ransom of ₦500 million for the captives’ release, raising alarm about escalating insecurity and the human toll on innocent labourers.
The men were abducted on December 15, 2025, at around 11:40 a.m., during a daytime attack at a road construction site along the Sabaja–Owa Onire Road in Isin Local Government Area. The victims — including road workers and their driver — were reportedly seized by armed gunmen while performing their duties on a Kwara State Government infrastructure project.
According to family representatives, the abductors have insisted on a “government‑level” negotiation and refused to negotiate with relatives directly, demanding ₦500 million for the release of the workers. The families described the amount as far beyond their means and said the bandits’ stance has deepened their trauma and despair.
At a press briefing held in the state capital, Ilorin, tearful relatives described the ordeal as devastating, highlighting not only the immediate danger to the captives but also the crushing emotional and economic impact on their homes. Many of the kidnapped men were breadwinners, and since their abduction, families have faced hunger, psychological distress and profound uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones.
Spokesperson for the families, Dare Boyinbogun, said survivors have been left to endure immense hardship with little clear communication from authorities. Families called on the Kwara State Government and relevant security agencies to escalate rescue efforts and treat the abduction as a top‑priority emergency, rather than leaving them to rely on social media and rumours for updates. They also appealed for welfare support and counselling to help those affected cope with the ongoing crisis.
In their statement, the families emphasised that the kidnapped men were not criminals but ordinary professionals and labourers who went to work expecting to return home safely. “These men are fathers, sons and brothers,” Boyinbogun said. “Please release them unharmed.” Relatives urged authorities to establish direct communication channels and provide transparent, frequent updates on rescue efforts, saying the absence of official information has compounded their fear and anguish.
The families also urged improved security along rural roads and construction corridors to prevent similar attacks on workers and residents. They warned that unless security measures are strengthened, further abductions and violence may follow, driving more fear into communities that depend on travel for commerce and daily life.
The situation adds to growing concerns over banditry in Kwara State, where kidnappings — including other high‑profile cases such as the abduction of Chinese workers in the region this month — have signalled an alarming pattern of insecurity across state roadways and rural areas.
At the time of the families’ appeal, neither the Kwara State Government nor national security officials had issued detailed public statements on the ongoing rescue efforts, though local police and military units are understood to be engaged in response operations. Authorities have been under pressure to demonstrate more effective actions to curb the rising tide of abductions and ransom demands that have traumatised communities across the state.
The families’ pleas reflect a broader crisis affecting countless citizens whose lives have been disrupted by kidnappings and insecurity. With weeks having passed since the workers were taken, relatives continue to cling to hope for a safe return, while insisting that authorities boost efforts to bring the captives home alive.
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