NYSC Kidnap: Abductors Demand N950m for 19 Graduates En Route From Ibadan in Imo
By Aliyu Oyewole
Abductors who kidnapped 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states have reportedly demanded N950 million for their release.
The graduates were travelling in two buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on Thursday.
According to the managing director of the transport company, Isiah Akpan, the abductors are demanding N50 million for each of the 19 victims.
The victims had departed Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but were delayed by traffic around Benin, Edo State, before eventually reaching Onitsha, Anambra State, later that day.
Akpan said the buses could not continue their journey because of the condition of the road, forcing the passengers and drivers to spend the night in Oba.
The journey resumed at about 5am on Thursday. However, shortly after entering Imo State, gunmen reportedly emerged from the bush, blocked the two buses and took 19 passengers into the forest.
The drivers reportedly escaped and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, prompting police and military personnel to launch a search operation.
The Imo State Police Command had earlier announced that 10 victims were rescued following the security operation, although the command was unable to immediately confirm whether those rescued were among the abducted corps members.
Families of the victims have since been thrown into panic following direct contacts from the abductors.
One parent told Saturday PUNCH that the kidnappers contacted her through her son’s phone and demanded N50 million for his release.
Another mother, identified as Mrs Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, and other victims were briefly seen during a video call initiated by the abductors.
She said the victims were sitting on the ground in the bush.
The development has triggered appeals for the safe release of the affected graduates, with friends and relatives taking to social media to seek assistance and draw attention to the incident.
The Oyo State Government has also condemned the abduction and said it was working with security agencies, the Imo State Government and NYSC authorities to secure the victims’ safe return.
Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that necessary resources be deployed towards the rescue effort.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to their orientation camps, particularly along routes considered vulnerable to kidnapping.
Security agencies are continuing efforts to locate the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
