Suspected kidnappers have demanded ₦500m for the release of a recent graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Adedoja Hannah, and three other people abducted from a farm in Ogun State.

The victims were reportedly seized on Tuesday night when gunmen invaded a farm along the Akintobi-Alabata axis of Abeokuta, where they were working.

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of FUNAAB disclosed the ransom demand in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Thursday.

Ms Hannah, a recent graduate of the Department of Agricultural Administration, was among the four victims. The union said she was last seen on Monday and that her telephone had remained unreachable since the incident.

Union confirms abduction

In its statement, the union expressed concern over the safety of the victims and appealed to members of the university community and the general public to remain calm.

It said the abductors had demanded ₦500m for the release of all four victims, adding that the incident was reported to the appropriate security authorities on Tuesday.

According to the union, the police have been working on the case, while security efforts are ongoing to locate the victims and secure their safe release.

The SUG also cautioned against spreading unverified reports and speculation, warning that such information could interfere with ongoing investigations and rescue operations.

It urged anyone with credible information that could assist security agencies to report through the appropriate channels.

The union added that although Hannah had graduated, she remained an important member of the FUNAAB community, acknowledging the distress the incident had caused her family, friends and loved ones.

Police confirm incident, begin rescue operation

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the abduction when contacted.

“We are on the issue since it happened; rescue operations are in top gear,” he said.

The latest incident comes days after police operatives and personnel of the Department of State Services rescued 10 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The passengers were reportedly abducted from a commercial bus on 3 November and regained their freedom unharmed at about 8:30pm on Saturday, 7 November, following intelligence-led security operations.

The operation also resulted in the killing of two suspected kidnappers, according to the report.