A newly inducted radiographer, Basheerah Ojedeyi, has been abducted by kidnappers while travelling from Sokoto State to Osun State, where she was scheduled to begin her internship.
Her family confirmed that the abductors are demanding ₦200 million as ransom for her release.
Ojedeyi’s abduction comes barely a week after a newly called-to-bar lawyer, Peace Udoka Onyesom, and her sister were kidnapped while returning from their call-to-bar ceremony in Abuja.
A family source told FCNN that Ojedeyi, who was inducted into the professional radiographers’ association last week, left Sokoto on Sunday for Osogbo. On Monday afternoon, she called her family to inform them that her vehicle had developed a fault at Mokwa, Niger State. Shortly after, her phone became unreachable.
“We tried calling her several times, but the line was switched off. By Tuesday morning, the kidnappers contacted us demanding ₦200m, threatening to kill her if we failed to pay,” the source said, adding that the ransom demand was impossible for the family to meet.
The family has since reported the case to the police in Sokoto and Niger states. However, the police authorities had yet to issue an official response as of press time.
Meanwhile, the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) has condemned the abduction in strong terms. Its National President, Dr Musa Dambele, described it as a direct attack on healthcare professionals.
“The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria is heartbroken and outraged at the abduction of our beloved colleague, Rad. Basheerah Ojedeyi, kidnapped on her way home after celebrating one of the most important days of her life. This cruel act has turned joy into a nightmare. The demand of ₦200m is outrageous, inhuman, and places her life at grave risk,” he said.
Dambele urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the DSS, and other security agencies to treat Ojedeyi’s rescue as a national priority.
“We also appeal to the conscience of her abductors: release her unconditionally. Do not destroy the life of a young professional who has chosen a path of service and sacrifice,” he added.
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The incident adds to the rising wave of kidnappings across the country, sparking fresh concerns over insecurity and the safety of young professionals.
