A Harrowing Day on the Sabaja/Owa‑Onire Road
On 15 December 2025, a routine sunrise over the Sabaja/Owa‑Onire road in Isin Local Government Area turned into a nightmare. Around 11:40 am, a group of armed men stormed a Kwara State Government construction site, grabbing five road‑construction workers—Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Emmanuel Okuwadare Kayode, Fatai Akin, and their driver Yusuf—and disappearing into the bush.
The victims were ordinary men who, day after day, poured sweat and skill into building the roads that connect villages, markets, and schools across Kwara. They were not criminals, not “adventurers” seeking danger, but fathers, sons, and brothers who simply wanted to return home to their families after a shift.
The story broke out on PUNCH Online, and the following Monday in Ilorin, the families, led by Mr. Dare Boyinbogun, stepped forward with a heavy heart and a painful plea.
The Ransom: ₦500 Million – An Impossible Burden
The abductors have contacted the families and demanded a ransom of ₦500 million. To put that figure into perspective:
| Metric | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Average monthly salary of a construction worker (Nigeria) | ~₦150,000 |
| Total monthly household income for a typical family of four | ~₦250,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Time needed (without any external help) to save ₦500 million | ≈ 1,667 years |
When Mr. Boyinbogun said, “How are we going to raise that?”, the question rang true for every mother, child, and elderly parent whose livelihood hinges on the income of the abducted men.
Beyond the staggering sum, the ransom demand adds a new layer of trauma:
- Psychological torment – each day without any word deepens anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
- Economic collapse – without the men’s wages, families face hunger, missed school fees, and medical neglect.
- Social disruption – the community loses skilled labor, slowing down infrastructure projects and eroding trust in public safety.
Voices from the Frontlines: Families Speak
“Our Lives Are Suspended Between Hope and Despair”
“Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair. They demanded the sum of 500 million from us. How are we going to raise that?” – Dare Boyinbogun
The emotional weight in Boyinbogun’s words mirrors a collective grief that has rippled through Isin and beyond.
A Mother’s Cry
“Please let them release our husbands to us. We want them alive,” – Idayat Lade, wife of Abdullahi Lade, in tears.
Idayat’s anguish is raw. She confided that the stress of the kidnapping caused her to lose a baby—a devastating reminder that the consequences of insecurity are not limited to physical harm but extend to the very fabric of family life.
Government Response: Promises, Policies, and the Need for Action
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s Moves
While the immediate kidnapping has demanded urgent attention, the governor’s office has been simultaneously dealing with another disturbing incident: hoodlums assaulting women protesters near the under‑construction Government House in Ilorin. A viral video showed crude attacks during the Christmas holidays, prompting outrage.
Governor AbdulRazaq, through his Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaye, issued a firm statement:
“Peaceful protest is a democratic right. The women are within their rights to express their views. We distance ourselves from the incident as it does not represent our values as a government.”
He ordered the police to identify and prosecute the perpetrators and emphasized that security will not be relented upon.
Concrete Steps Already Taken
- Deployment of Forest Guards – The governor led the passing‑out parade of armed forest guards tasked with flushing out kidnappers and terrorists from dense woodland areas.
- Increased Police Presence – More officers have been posted along vulnerable rural roads and construction corridors.
- Engagement with Families – The governor’s office promised direct communication channels with the affected families for updates, welfare support, and counseling.
Gaps That Remain
- Rapid Rescue Operations – While police involvement is welcomed, families stress that time is running out. The longer the standoff, the deeper the psychological scarring and the higher the risk of a tragic outcome.
- Financial Assistance – No immediate relief package has been announced to alleviate the families’ economic strain while negotiations continue.
- Transparency – The families have yet to receive clear information on the progress of investigations, rescue plans, or the chain of command overseeing operations.
What Can Be Done? A Call to Citizens, NGOs, and Policy Makers
- Mobilize Community Support – Local businesses, religious bodies, and community groups can launch crowdfunding drives or solidarity funds to help families meet immediate needs (food, medical care, counseling). Even a modest pool can make a massive difference.
- Pressure for an Integrated Security Task Force – Civil society organisations should demand a joint task force comprising police, military, and civil defence that operates with real-time intelligence sharing specifically for kidnapping hotspots.
- Advocate for Victim‑Centred Policies – The state should formalise a Kidnapping Victim Assistance Act, guaranteeing:
- Immediate psychosocial counselling for families.
- Stipends to replace lost wages during the crisis.
- Legal aid for families navigating ransom negotiations.
- Use Media Wisely – Continuous, responsible coverage keeps the case in the public eye, hinders the abductors from acting with impunity, and pressures authorities to act swiftly.
- International Partnerships – Nigeria can request technical assistance from regional bodies (ECOWAS) and global partners experienced in hostage negotiation and counter‑insurgency to augment local capabilities.
A Wider Perspective: Road‑Construction Workers as Front‑Line Heroes
Road workers are often the unsung architects of national development. Every kilometre of paved road translates into:
- Reduced travel time, facilitating trade and access to markets.
- Improved health outcomes, as ambulances can reach remote clinics faster.
- Educational gains, allowing pupils to attend school consistently.
When threats like banditry target these workers, the ripple effect hits every Nigerian. The loss is not just personal; it is a stroke against progress.
Closing Thoughts: Hope Amidst Darkness
The story of the five abducted men from Kwara is, for now, a painful chapter of hope tangled with despair. The families have spoken, the governor has issued statements, and the whole nation watches.
But in the midst of fear, there is a powerful undercurre
If the collective will of the people, civil society, and the state can converge, there is a realistic chance that the kidnapped workers will be freed unharmed, their families will be supported, and the roads they built will continue to pave the way toward a safer, more prosperous Kwara State.
“These men are fathers, sons and brothers. Please release them unharmed.” – Dare Boyinbogun
Let us answer that plea with concrete deeds, not just echoes of empathy.
If you would like to contribute to a relief fund for the families of the abducted workers, or volunteer your time for awareness campaigns, please contact [Insert Local NGO or Contact Details]. Together, we can transform hope into reality.
