Relief has swept across Kwara State as the seven construction workers abducted from a state government road project have finally regained their freedom after spending weeks in captivity.
The workers were kidnapped on December 15, 2025, while working on the Sabaja–Owa-Onire Road in Isin Local Government Area, an incident that sparked outrage, fear, and emotional distress among residents and families of the victims.
Kwara Govt Confirms Release
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Monday in Ilorin, the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olajide Abolarin, disclosed that the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Abdulquawy Olododo, announced the workers’ release.
According to the commissioner, their freedom was secured through coordinated efforts between the Kwara State Government and security agencies.
Olododo described the rescue as a major boost to the state’s public safety drive and praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what he called strong political will in tackling insecurity.
Two Victims Identified as Govt Engineers
The commissioner further revealed that two of the abducted workers are engineers employed by the Kwara State Ministry of Works, noting that the incident highlighted the dangers faced by personnel involved in public infrastructure projects.
“We are grateful to His Excellency and to the security agencies. We also appreciate everyone who stood by us in these trying times,” Olododo said.
Families Earlier Raised Alarm Over ₦500m Ransom Demand
The abduction had earlier drawn national attention after families of the victims accused authorities of slow rescue efforts.
In December 2025, the families’ spokesperson, Dare Boyinbogun, alleged that the kidnappers demanded a ₦500 million ransom for the release of the workers.
He had told journalists that gunmen stormed the construction site at about 11:40am, forcefully abducting the workers and their driver.
“Since that moment, our lives have been suspended between hope and despair. They demanded ₦500 million from us. How are we going to raise that?” he lamented.
Weeks of Fear End in Relief
Boyinbogun stressed that the victims were ordinary workers contributing to the development of Kwara State, adding that their families endured fear, hunger, and emotional trauma throughout the period of captivity.
Following their release, families have expressed relief and gratitude as the long and painful wait finally comes to an end.
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