The Nigerian Police Force has stepped up efforts to rescue 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted on October 1 while traveling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. According to the Imo State Police Command, the abducted individuals were taken along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State. The police have identified the location where the victims are being held and are preparing to move in.
The parents of the abducted NYSC members met with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, to seek assistance in securing their release. The abductors have demanded a ransom of N50 million for each victim, totaling N1 billion, and have given the parents 24 hours to pay. The parents have appealed for help, expressing their inability to raise such a large sum.
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that the kidnappers' camp has been located, but security operatives are delaying the rescue operation due to fears of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Police Commissioner Audu Garba Bosso stated that drones were used to locate the suspected camp, and security agencies are preparing to move in with heavy equipment, including bulldozers and armored personnel carriers.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation. Nadada arrived in Imo with two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and ongoing efforts by the Imo State Police Command.
The police have intensified the search-and-rescue operation, deploying additional tactical teams and operational assets to identified areas. The operation is being supported by intelligence-led tracking of the suspected abductors, and the police are working with other security agencies to secure the safe release of the victims and arrest those responsible.
Oba Rashidi Ladoja has 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 police have assured the public that they will sustain the operation until the abducted persons are rescued.
The DIG has assured residents that the police will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded. He urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while appealing to anyone with credible information to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
Key points
- Nigerian police deploy teams to rescue 20 abducted National Youth Service Corps members
- Abductors demand N1 billion ransom for release of victims
- Police locate kidnappers' camp, delay raid due to fear of improvised explosive devices
