A recent kidnapping incident involving 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members has sparked widespread concern in Nigeria. The victims, who were traveling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom, were abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State on October 1. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N50 million for each victim, totaling N950 million.
The abduction occurred at around 6:30 am near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. The buses, operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, had left Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday and were delayed by traffic around Benin. According to the managing director of the company, Isiah Akpan, the vehicles were blocked by gunmen, and 19 passengers, all corps members, were taken into the bush while the drivers escaped.
The families of the victims have been left to navigate a difficult situation, with many struggling to raise the demanded ransom. One parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the abductors called using her son's telephone and demanded N50 million for his release. Another family received a video call from the kidnappers, showing the victim, Greatness, and other corps members sitting on the ground in the bush and crying.
In response to the kidnapping, friends and relatives of the victims have begun circulating photographs and appealing for help on social media. A campaign for Precious Oladipupo, one of the victims, describes him as "a young Nigerian, a graduate, a bright future" and asks members of the public to contribute whatever they can to help bring him home. The campaign gives an Opay account in the name of Courage Olamide Abudu and urges Nigerians to contribute.
The incident has raised concerns about the security risks faced by young graduates traveling to national service. The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Southwest Zone D, has described the incident as more than an ordinary highway kidnapping and called for urgent action to rescue the affected graduates. The student body has also called for reforms in NYSC deployment and transportation arrangements.
Security agencies have been deployed to rescue the victims, with the Imo State Police Command reporting that tactical teams and other security agencies are working to secure their release. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed senior officers to Imo State to coordinate the rescue effort. The Defence Headquarters also reported that troops of 'Operation UDO KA' worked with other security agencies to rescue some victims.
The kidnapping incident highlights the vulnerability of young graduates who travel long distances by road to report for national service. The NYSC was established as a national integration programme, bringing young Nigerians from different parts of the country together and deploying them away from their home states. However, the journey towards that national integration can expose them to kidnapping and other security risks.
Key points
- The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N50 million for each victim.
- The incident has sparked widespread concern about the security risks faced by young graduates traveling to national service.
- Friends and relatives of the victims have begun crowdfunding efforts to raise the demanded ransom.
