Gunmen abduct Oyo State Pacesetter Queens player, demand ₦20 million ransom

A Nigerian female footballer, Ihotu John Rebecca, who plays for Oyo State Pacesetter Queens, has been kidnapped along the Benin Expressway.

Rebecca, a regular player in the Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership, was allegedly abducted by unknown gunmen while returning home from professional duties. Her captors are reportedly demanding a ransom of ₦20,000,000 for her release.

Family sources disclosed that the incident occurred along the busy Benin corridor, an area that has witnessed recurring security challenges in recent times. The family has appealed to relevant authorities and security agencies to act swiftly.

They are also calling on football stakeholders, administrators, and well-meaning Nigerians to help escalate the matter to appropriate law enforcement bodies.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from security agencies confirming the details of the abduction, although efforts to secure her release are said to be underway.

The abduction of the young footballer along the ever-busy Benin Expressway once again raises concerns about the effectiveness of security operations and the urgent need for improved safety measures across the nation.

Bola Ogunlayi is a veteran journalist with over 30 years of experience across major Nigerian media outlets, including Reuters, Daily Times, and Sketch Press. He is the Managing Director/C.E.O. of Super4News.com.