In a shocking incident, 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were abducted by gunmen while traveling from Oyo State to their orientation camps along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State. The abduction occurred on Thursday, and the kidnappers have given the parents 24 hours to pay a total ransom of N1billion for their release. The parents, who visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Saturday, expressed their distress and appealed for urgent intervention.
The kidnappers are demanding N50 million for each of the 20 graduates, threatening to harm them if the families fail to meet the demand within the stipulated period. According to Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande, who spoke on behalf of the affected families, the kidnappers have been contacting them through the mobile phones of the abducted graduates. The parents pleaded with the Olubadan and the police commissioner to urgently intervene and ensure the safe and immediate release of their children.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, assured the distraught parents that security agencies are working to rescue the victims unharmed. He urged them to remain calm as efforts continued, stating that the police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also disclosed that he had been in contact with his Imo State counterpart, Audu Garba Bosso, over the abduction.
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that operatives have identified the suspected kidnappers' hideout. According to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Bosso, security operatives have used drones to locate the suspected camp where the remaining victims are being held. However, he disclosed that the rescue operation has been delayed by intelligence reports indicating that the camp has been planted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation. The deployment is aimed at strengthening efforts to secure the victims' release. The abduction has raised fresh concerns over the safety of travelers on major highways in the South-East.
The parents are now appealing for urgent government and security intervention as the kidnappers' reported 24-hour deadline places further pressure on efforts to secure the victims' safe return. The prospective corps members were traveling to begin their mandatory one-year national service when they were seized. The incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for improved security measures.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola, assured that the police are working tirelessly to rescue the victims. He did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid by the families or provide specific details of the ongoing rescue operations. The police and other security agencies are working to ensure the safe release of the abducted graduates.
Key points
- Kidnappers demand N1billion ransom for 20 NYSC members.
- Security agencies working to rescue victims unharmed.
- Incident raises concerns over safety of travelers on major highways.
