Corps Member Kidnapped,N10m Ransom Demanded

The Lagos State Police Command
has commenced investigation
into the kidnap of a 29-year-old
National Youth Service Corps
member, Ayobami Jaiyeola.
Ayobami was last seen while leaving
her elder sister’s house at Dideolu
Estate in the Oniru area of the state
in the evening of Friday last week
according to her relatives.
Meanwhile family and friends on
Wednesday thronged the victim’s
home to commiserate with her
mother.
A relative of the victim, who craved
anonymity, said Ayobami left her
two phones and handbag behind in
the house at the time of her
kidnap.
He said the matter was initially
reported as a case of missing
person.
He said, “On Friday, she suddenly
left the house and walked outside
the main gate of the estate. We
have not heard anything from her
since then. Her phones were here
so there was little we could do.
“We asked the security guards at
the gate if they noticed anything,
but they said they only saw her
walking out and no vehicle was seen
nearby.
“We reported the matter to the
Maroko Police Division, as well as
the state command headquarters.”
It was learnt that following her
disappearance, friends of the victim
began sending messages on
smartphones and the social media,
begging members of the public to
help search and provide details
regarding Ayobami’s whereabouts.
It was however learnt that on
Wednesday afternoon, a man, who
refused to identify himself, called
the victim’s elder sister on the
telephone, concerning the girl’s
whereabouts.
The relative said, “We did not speak
with Ayobami, but someone called
with a private numberdemanding
N10m.
“When we tried to ask further
questions about the state of our
daughter, the man terminated the
call abruptly.”
Ayobami who is a corps member is
serving in the Lagos State Ministry
of Works, Alausa, Ikeja.
The victim, who graduated from the
University of Maryland in the
United States, was said to have
returned to the country in January
for  her youth service.
Some of her colleagues, who visited
the family home on Wednesday,
described her as a hardworking and
responsible lady.
One of them, who identified himself
simply as Gbade, said, “Ayobami and
I serve in the same ministry. We
are also in the same Community
Development Service known as
Education and Enlightenment.
“We are here to show support and
we believe that by God’s grace, she
will return safely to her family.”
The victim’s brother-in-law, Mr
Bosun Ayinde, confirmed to our
correspondent that kidnappers had
contacted the family.
“We want Ayobami back safe and
sound. We have not rested since
she left and you can imagine what
her mother is going through,” he
said.
Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi
Braide, said the police had
commenced investigation into the
matter.