The Nigerian police have made a significant breakthrough in the search for 20 prospective NYSC members kidnapped in Imo State on October 1. According to Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso, operatives tracked the suspected kidnappers into the bush and used drones to pinpoint their location in Imo State. However, the rescue operation has been delayed due to fears of hidden explosives. Intelligence suggests that the camp may have been planted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which has forced security agencies to slow down their advance.
The kidnapped graduates were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. The transport company previously reported that 19 prospective corps members were abducted, while the reported ransom demand was ₦50 million per person, or ₦950 million in total. However, the victims' parents have disputed this account, stating that 20 prospective corps members remain in captivity and that the kidnappers are demanding ₦50 million for each person, bringing the total to ₦1 billion.
The conflicting accounts of the number of people still in captivity have not been independently established. The Defence Headquarters previously stated that 20 passengers were abducted and 10 people, including eight prospective corps members, were rescued. However, the victims' parents claim that those 10 people escaped into the bush themselves during the attack, while 20 others were taken away. The Oyo State Government has assured that it is working with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure the release of 20 prospective corps members of Oyo origin.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Shehu Umar Nadada to coordinate the rescue operation in Imo. Nadada has assured the families that security agencies are working to bring their loved ones home safely. The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, also stated that security operatives are closing in on the kidnappers. Bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers are being prepared for the operation to safely rescue the victims.
The use of drones has been instrumental in locating the suspected kidnappers' camp. According to Bosso, the drones helped pinpoint the location of the camp, which has been identified as being in a bushy area. However, the fear of hidden explosives has made it challenging for security agencies to launch a rescue operation. The police are working to find a way to reach the victims without putting them in greater danger.
The families of the abducted NYSC members are anxiously waiting for their loved ones to be rescued. One mother told PUNCH that she had been praying on a mountain for her son's safe return while the family tried to deal with the ransom demand. The development means help may be closer than before, but the children are still not home. The Oyo State Government has assured that it will do everything possible to ensure the safe release of the abducted corps members.
The rescue operation is ongoing, with security agencies working to safely rescue the victims. The police have identified where the victims may be held, but the reported explosive threat means the rescue operation has to be carefully planned. The key points in this case are: the police have located the suspected camp of the abducted NYSC members, the fear of hidden explosives is delaying the rescue operation, and the families are anxiously waiting for their loved ones to be rescued.
Key points
- Nigerian police have located the suspected camp of abducted NYSC members in Imo State.
- Fear of hidden explosives has delayed the rescue operation.
- 20 prospective NYSC members were kidnapped on October 1 while travelling to orientation camps.
