The kidnappers of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have given the victims' parents a 24-hour ultimatum to pay a total ransom of N1 billion. The abduction occurred last Thursday along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area. According to the parents, the kidnappers are demanding N50 million ransom for each victim.
The Imo State Police Command has identified the location where the victims are being held and is planning a rescue operation. However, the police delayed moving into the camp due to fears of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, has deployed a top Deputy Inspector General of Police and commissioners of police to Imo State to lead the rescue operation.
The parents of the victims, accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri, visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to seek his intervention. The parents disclosed that the kidnappers have been contacting them through the mobile phones of the kidnapped prospective corps members, demanding the ransom.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, assured the parents that efforts are underway to rescue the victims unharmed. He stated that the police are working round the clock to secure their rescue and urged the parents not to worry. The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also assured that his counterpart in Imo State has assured him that the victims would be rescued unhurt.
The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has alleged that President Bola Tinubu's laxity on security has emboldened terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers to attack, kill, maim, and abduct Nigerians. This allegation comes against the backdrop of the abduction of the NYSC members traveling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in the South-east and South-south.
The victims' parents appealed to Oba Rashidi Ladoja and the police commissioner to intervene and secure their children's immediate release. They expressed their inability to raise the demanded ransom amount, stating that it is not feasible for them to do so.
The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in the country, particularly in Imo State. The police and other security agencies are working to rescue the victims and bring the kidnappers to justice. The rescue operation is ongoing, and the outcome remains uncertain.
Key points
- The kidnappers demand N1 billion ransom from the parents of the 20 abducted NYSC members.
- The Imo State Police Command has identified the location of the victims and is planning a rescue operation.
- The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation alleges that President Bola Tinubu's laxity on security has emboldened terrorists and kidnappers.
