From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Families of five government construction workers abducted by suspected terrorists in Kwara State, have made an emotional appeal to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Federal Government, to urgently intervene, following a ₦500 million ransom demand by the kidnappers.
The workers were kidnapped in broad daylight about 15 days ago while carrying out construction work along the Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road, a rural axis of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the families during a press conference, Pastor Ademola and Mallam Issa Abdullah, described the situation as one of “broken families united by fear, pain and uncertainty.”
They recounted that at about 11:40am on the day of the incident, armed men suspected to be bandits invaded the construction site and abducted five workers — Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Fatal and Akin along with their driver, Yusuf Emmanuel Kayode.
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“Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair,” the spokespersons said.
According to them, the abducted men were law-abiding workers contributing to the development of Kwara State, not criminals or adventurers.
“They left home that morning believing they would return safely. Instead, their families have been thrown into anguish and uncertainty,” they added.
The families revealed that the kidnappers have been contacting relatives through the victims’ phones, demanding ₦500 million and insisting that negotiations must be conducted directly with the Kwara State Government.
While acknowledging the reported efforts of the police, military and local vigilante groups, the families warned that time was running out.
“Every passing hour deepens the trauma, especially for the wives, children and elderly parents who depend entirely on these men for survival. Many households now face hunger, psychological distress and total uncertainty,” they said.
They called on the state government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts, establish direct communication with the affected families, provide immediate welfare and counselling support, and strengthen security along construction sites and rural roads.
“This is not just about infrastructure. It is about lives and the safety of ordinary Nigerians who leave home every day to earn an honest living,” the families stressed.
They also appealed directly to the abductors to release the workers unharmed, urging them to consider the pain being suffered by innocent families.
“We are begging the authorities not to let us become forgotten statistics. Let action speak louder than assurances. We will continue to speak until our loved ones return home alive,” they vowed.
One of the victims’ wives, Idayat Lade, broke down in tears while speaking to Afrika Eyes, pleading for urgent government intervention.
“Please help me bring my husband back alive. I just lost a baby. I want my husband alive,” she cried, surrounded by her children.
Another wife, Funmilayo, also appealed directly to Governor AbdulRazaq, urging him to use all available means to secure the safe return of their husbands.
