A human rights activist group has announced that seven of its members have been reported missing since their rally on March 10 , 2025. According to the World Humanitarian Organization for Peace and Equity, several members, including Adegoke Ayodele Adebayo, a well-known human rights activist, his colleagues namely : Kamal Olusegun, Oladele Ranti, Olu Ladipo, Olusola Alex, Friday Bassey and Felicia Olusola have all been declared missing
An unnamed source disclosed that the activists’ missing could be connected to their vocal opposition to various political, economic, and social issues, potentially prompting unknown individuals to take action. Adebayo, a notable member of the group, is recognized for his criticism of policies that overlook the needs of the disadvantaged.
.An investigation conducted by our correspondent found that on March10, 2025, the group attended a rally and the vehicle they boarded was last spotted on the heavily congested Shagamu-Lagos-Ibadan expressway on that fateful day. When our correspondent attempted to visit the location where the vehicle conveying the group was last seen, the locals responded with hostility, claiming that residents of all ages had been repeatedly arrested by security agents, who linked them to the disappearance of the human rights activists
Several other human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Agenda Network, have urged security agents to ensure the safe return of the activists. In a press statement, the group alleged that security agents have made no effort to search for the missing activists. The group also questioned the government’s silence on the disappearance of the activists, characterizing it as an attempt to persecute and victimize social critics in the country.
According to a family member who preferred anonymity, said the kidnappers requested for a ransom of N100m in exchange for the release of the main target, Adegoke Ayodele Adebayo, and other hostages.
Contacted on the matter, Omolola Odutola, the image maker of the Ogun State Police Command, stated that the command had transferred the case file to the Lagos State Police Command. The image maker referred our correspondent to Ben Hundeyin, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, for an update on the case. As of the time of filing this report, a WhatsApp message sent to the Lagos PPRO on the case was yet to be replied to.
