Magaji Adebanjo, a staff member of Vine Crest College in Ogun State, was on Thursday kidnapped in Kabba while in transit to Abuja.
In a development that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria distressing video of the abduction surfaced online, showing Adebanjo sitting on the forest floor, flanked by armed men, pleading for his life as his captors demand the staggering ransom of N100 million.
The terrifying video clip, showed at least 2 guns is pointed directly at him while he begged for help to raise the ransom.
The ordeal for Magaji Adebanjo began earlier this week. According to his own account in the viral clip, he is a native of Imo Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State and works with Vine Crest College, a prestigious institution located in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State.
He was traveling from Iperu, Ogun State, to Abuja when his journey was violently interrupted. He stated that he was kidnapped along Kabba Road, a route that has become increasingly notorious for such incidents.
In the footage, a visibly shaken Magaji Adebanjo explained the gravity of his situation. “I was coming from Iperu going to Abuja yesterday… I was kidnapped along Kabba road,” he struggled to mutter, clearly under duress. The kidnappers have reportedly issued an ultimatum demanding a ransom of N100 million to secure his release.
With a rifle barrel close to his head, Magaji Adebanjo made the heartbreaking appeal to the public and the government.
He said: “Please help me. I don’t want to die,” he cried.
He added that he has a pregnant wife, a four-year-old son, and an aged father waiting for him at home.
“They want 100 million… please help me,” Magaji Adebanjo repeats, emphasizing the impossibility of raising such a sum without external help.
Social Media Outcry: Users on X are tagging the Nigerian Police Force and Ogun State government officials, demanding immediate intervention. The hashtag #FreeMagaji is beginning to gain traction.
As of Thursday afternoon, neither the Ogun State Police Command nor the management of Vine Crest College has issued an official statement regarding the abduction of Magaji Adebanjo.
Security experts anticipate that negotiations may be attempted behind the scenes, but the public exposure of the video puts pressure on security agencies to act swiftly. The mention of “Kabba Road” suggests the jurisdiction might fall under the Kogi State Police Command, though coordination with Ogun and Ondo authorities will likely be necessary given the victim’s profile.
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