In Imo State, Nigeria, police have identified the location of a kidnappers' camp where 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members are being held. The abduction occurred on a highway in Imo State while the victims were traveling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. According to Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, police drones were used to track the kidnappers into a forest, pinpointing their exact location.
The kidnapping incident took place on Thursday when gunmen intercepted two buses carrying the prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road. The gunmen took all 19 victims and other passengers into the bush, while the drivers escaped and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint. The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed that the drivers' swift action enabled security agencies to begin combing the area immediately.
Despite locating the kidnappers' camp, fears of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have delayed the rescue operation. Commissioner Bosso stated that intelligence suggests the camp is mined with IEDs, prompting caution among security operatives. To mitigate this risk, security agencies are preparing to move into the area with heavy equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to ensure a safe rescue.
The kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom of N50m for each of the 19 victims, totaling N950m. Some family members of the victims have been contacted through the phones of their abducted relatives. One of the victims' mothers, Mrs Oladosu, revealed that the kidnappers contacted her family through her daughter's phone and allowed them to see some of the victims during a video call.
Earlier reports from Imo State police indicated that 10 victims were rescued, but it was unclear if they were among the abducted prospective corps members. The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, could not confirm the details of the rescue. The development has raised concerns about the security situation in the region and the safety of travelers.
Commissioner Bosso assured that the police are working tirelessly to rescue the victims unharmed. He mentioned that the operatives are waiting for the right moment to move into the bush, equipped with necessary gear to handle potential IEDs. The use of drones and other equipment has been crucial in tracking the kidnappers and planning the rescue operation.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, and the police are under pressure to secure the release of the abducted corps members. With the kidnappers' demands and the risk of IEDs, the situation remains volatile. The authorities are working to resolve the crisis safely and efficiently.
Key points
- The kidnappers have demanded N950m in ransom for the release of the 19 abducted corps members.
- The police are using heavy equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to prepare for the rescue operation.
- The use of police drones was instrumental in locating the kidnappers' camp in the forest.
