The abductors reportedly used the victims’ mobile phones to contact their families, making it clear that no private negotiation would be entertained and that discussions must involve the Kwara State Government.
Families of government construction workers abducted by suspected terrorists in Kwara State have cried out to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for urgent intervention, as the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦500 million and insisted that they would only negotiate directly with the state government.
The abductors reportedly used the victims’ mobile phones to contact their families, making it clear that no private negotiation would be entertained and that discussions must involve the Kwara State Government.
At a press conference held by the concerned families, their representatives identified as Pastor Ademola and Mallam Issa Abdullah, described the relatives of the victims as “broken families united by fear, pain and uncertainty.”
They explained that 15 days ago, the victims, husbands, brothers, sons and breadwinners, were abducted in broad daylight while carrying out legitimate construction work along the Sabaja/Owa-Onire Road in Kwara State.
According to the families, at about 11:40 a.m., armed men suspected to be bandits stormed the construction site and whisked away five workers, identified as Ademola Afolabi, Abdullahi Lade, Fatai, Akin, and their driver, Yusuf Emmanuel Kayode.
“Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair,” the families said.
They stressed that the abducted men were not criminals or adventurers but professionals and labourers contributing to the development of Kwara State.
“They went to work that morning believing they would return home safely. Instead, their families have been thrown into anguish,” the spokespersons said.
While acknowledging efforts reportedly made by the police, the military and local vigilantes, the families warned that time was running out.
“Every passing hour deepens the trauma of the families, especially the wives, children and elderly parents who depend entirely on these men for survival,” they said, noting that many of the households now face hunger, psychological distress and total uncertainty.
The families made several urgent appeals, calling on the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and treat the abduction as a top-priority emergency until all the victims are safely returned.
They also urged the government to establish direct communication with the affected families to prevent reliance on rumours and social media for information, and appealed for immediate welfare support and counselling for households already in distress.
WATCH: Families of Abducted Kwara Construction Workers Beg Gov AbdulRazaq As Kidnappers Demand ₦500Million, Insist On Govt Negotiation pic.twitter.com/n0Z1waxA72
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 29, 2025
"We, therefore, make the following urgent appeals: We call on the Kwara State Government and relevant security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and treat this abduction as a top-priority emergency until every victim is safely returned.
"We urge government to establish direct communication with the affected families, so we are not left to rely on rumours and social media for information about our loved ones.
"We appeal for immediate support for the families of the abducted workers, including welfare assistance and counselling, as many households are already in distress.
"We ask for stronger security presence along construction corridors and rural roads to prevent further attacks on innocent workers and residents.”
“It is about the safety of ordinary Nigerians who leave home every day to earn an honest living,” they said.
Addressing the abductors, the families pleaded: “These men are fathers, sons and brothers. Please release them unharmed.”
“To the authorities, we say: do not let these families become forgotten statistics. Let action speak louder than assurances. We will continue to speak until our loved ones return home alive,” they added.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, the wife of one of the victims, Idayat Lade, broke down in tears as she pleaded with the Kwara State and federal governments to rescue her husband.
“Please, help me bring my husband back alive. I just lost a baby. I want my husband alive,” she said, clutching her children tightly.
Another wife, Funmilayo, also tearfully begged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene urgently and ensure that their husbands are rescued alive.
SaharaReporters previously the abduction of the seven construction workers in Oba community, Isin Local Government Area of the state.
A source told SaharaReporters that the incident occurred when the attackers stormed a construction site in the community and forcefully took away the workers.
According to the source, the victims were engaged in a construction project at the time of the attack.
Among those kidnapped are two staff members of the Kwara State Ministry of Works.
“The attackers came suddenly, overpowered the workers and marched them into the bush,” the source said, adding that the assailants operated without immediate resistance.