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 number demanding 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.
Punch
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