By Habeeb Ibrahim
Gunmen who abducted a recent graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Adedoja Hannah, and three other individuals in Ogun State have demanded a ransom of N500m for their release.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday night when suspected kidnappers invaded a farm along the Akintobi-Alabata axis of Abeokuta, where they were working.
The Students’ Union Government of FUNAAB disclosed the development in a statement shared on its official Facebook page on Thursday.
According to the union, Hannah, a recent graduate of the Department of Agricultural Administration, was among the four people abducted during the attack.
The union said Hannah was last seen on Monday, adding that her telephone had remained unreachable since the incident.
“The abductors have demanded a ransom of ₦500 million for the release of all four victims. This development has understandably heightened concerns over their safety and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement read.
The union added that the incident was reported to the appropriate security authorities, with the police commencing operations to secure the victims’ release.
It appealed to members of the university community and the general public to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information that could interfere with ongoing security efforts.
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command had been working on the case since it was reported.
“We are on the issue since it happened; rescue operations are in top gear,” Babaseyi said.
The latest abduction comes days after security operatives rescued 10 passengers kidnapped by suspected gunmen at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The passengers were reportedly abducted from a commercial bus on November 3 and regained their freedom unharmed at about 8.30pm on November 7 following security operations involving the police and Department of State Services.
Two of the suspected kidnappers were reportedly killed during the operation.
Meanwhile, the FUNAAB Students’ Union expressed hope for the safe return of Hannah and the three other victims, urging anyone with credible information that could assist security agencies to report through appropriate channels.
