The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a newly-inducted radiographer, Basherah Ojedeyi, alongside an unspecified number of passengers in the Ibbi-Bussa area of the state.
Ojedeyi, a fresh graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, was reportedly on her way to Osun State to commence her internship when she was kidnapped. The incident occurred after the vehicle she boarded developed a fault at Mokwa, Niger State, rendering her unreachable.
Her family later disclosed that the abductors contacted them on Tuesday and demanded a ransom of N200 million for her release.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the abduction happened on Monday, September 29, 2025.
According to him, suspected gunmen attacked a police checkpoint along the Ibbi-Bussa Road around 11:30 a.m., engaging officers in a gun battle. One officer sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
He explained that while the police successfully repelled the hoodlums at the checkpoint, the attackers regrouped further ahead and blocked the road, abducting passengers from about three vehicles, including Ojedeyi.
The command has since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects. Additional tactical teams, in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes, have been mobilised to track the kidnappers, rescue the victims, and bring the perpetrators to justice, Abiodun said.
Meanwhile, a family source confirmed that the abductors have not made further contact since their initial ransom demand.
The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) has condemned the abduction, describing it as a direct assault on healthcare professionals in the country. The group appealed to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to ensure the safe release of Ojedeyi and the other victims.
This latest case adds to a worrying trend of kidnappings targeting healthcare professionals in Nigeria. A report say Healthwise in September 2024 revealed that over 109 health workers were abducted across the country between 2019 and 2023, many of whom endured ransom negotiations and prolonged captivity.
Kidnappings in transit have also become increasingly common. In one high-profile case, 20 medical students abducted on their way to a convention were later rescued in a tactical operation, underscoring the widespread insecurity confronting professionals and students alike.
For Ojedeyi’s family, colleagues, and the wider medical community, her safe return remains a pressing concern as police intensify efforts to track down her abductors.