Families of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Oyo State are in a state of panic after kidnappers reportedly demanded a combined ₦50 million ransom for each of their victims. The victims were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom States. The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the development.
The abduction occurred on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses in the Umunoha area of Imo State. According to Akpan, the buses had departed from Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but were delayed by heavy traffic around Benin, Edo State. The buses eventually arrived in Onitsha, Anambra State, late that day and spent the night in Oba before continuing their journey the following morning.
The kidnappers emerged from the bush, blocked the buses, and forced 19 passengers into the bush. The drivers escaped and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, prompting police and military personnel to commence a search for the abductors. However, the operation was initially delayed after some villagers allegedly prevented security personnel from moving the abandoned buses from the scene.
The Imo State Police Command reported that 10 victims had been rescued less than 24 hours after the incident. The development has heightened fears among relatives, who are anxiously awaiting the safe return of their loved ones as security agencies intensify efforts to locate the victims. The kidnappers contacted some of the victims' families and demanded ₦50 million for each abducted passenger.
According to Akpan, the buses resumed the journey from Oba at about 5 a.m. on Thursday. The vehicles had barely entered Imo State when the gunmen blocked them. The buses were eventually left at the location, with some of the passengers' belongings scattered inside. The incident has raised concerns about the security of travellers on Nigerian roads.
The NYSC members were on their way to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom States when they were abducted. The corps members are from Oyo State, and their families are anxiously awaiting their safe return. The government and security agencies have been urged to take measures to ensure the safe release of the abducted victims.
The incident is a reminder of the security challenges facing Nigeria, particularly in the area of kidnapping and banditry. The government has been working to address these challenges, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety of citizens. The families of the abducted victims are hopeful that the authorities will secure their release soon.
Key points
- Kidnappers demand ₦50m ransom for each of the 19 abducted NYSC members.
- 10 victims have been rescued, while 9 remain in captivity.
- The incident has raised concerns about the security of travellers on Nigerian roads.
