On October 3, 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were abducted while traveling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The gunmen attacked the vehicles along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State. According to Alhaja Alimot Akande, whose 25-year-old sister, Kehinde Akande, is among those abducted, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim, totaling ₦1 billion.
The kidnappers have now reduced their ransom demand to ₦5 million per victim, totaling ₦100 million for all 20 victims. However, the families' fears have not eased, as the victims are still being held and allegedly assaulted. Akande stated that the abductors began beating the victims after she spoke with her sister. The situation has become "horrible, scary and overwhelming" for the families.
The families of the abducted victims have accused Eduak King Transport Company, which conveyed the victims from Ibadan, of withholding the next-of-kin details of passengers aboard the affected vehicles. The parents claim that they visited the company's premises in Samonda, Ibadan, seeking information that would help them contact other affected families, but the transport operator refused to provide the list.
One of the affected mothers, Mrs. Iyabo Akande, has urged the Inspector-General of Police and the government to investigate the transport company. She stated that the company's driver, Jeremiah, took their children, and they must be held accountable. Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, expressed shock at finding the company loading another vehicle when they visited its premises.
The Oyo State Government has assured that it is working with the Imo State Government and security agencies in both states to secure the victims' release. Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, stated that the government is drawing on its experience from the recent Oriire abduction crisis. The government has volunteered its template and experiences garnered during the Oriire kidnapping.
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that the prospective corps members remained in captivity, while security agencies continued search-and-rescue operations. The command's spokesperson, Henry Okoye, stated that tactical teams and operational assets had been deployed to rescue the victims and arrest the suspected kidnappers. Following a swift response by the police and other security agencies, both buses have been recovered, and 10 victims were rescued at the scene.
The development comes amid intensified efforts by security agencies to locate the remaining victims and secure their release. The families are still trying to raise the money while relying on assurances from the police. Oyelade called on the Federal Government to explain the measures being taken to secure the victims, adding that Oyo State would continue working for the victims' release.
Key points
- The kidnappers have reduced their ransom demand from ₦1 billion to ₦100 million for the 20 abducted NYSC members.
- The families of the abducted victims have accused Eduak King Transport Company of withholding information that could help them contact other affected families.
- The Oyo and Imo state governments are working together with security agencies to secure the release of the victims.
