The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has offered 20 prospective corps members, who were recently abducted in Imo State, the opportunity to choose their preferred South-West states for national service. The graduates were abducted on October 1 while traveling in two commercial buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road. According to reports, the released graduates can continue their service with the current batch in any of the six South-West states under the arrangement.
The abduction occurred near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, with the graduates traveling towards Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen intercepted their buses. The police announced their rescue on Wednesday, but families maintained that ransom payments played a decisive role in securing their freedom. A parent of one of the victims confirmed the NYSC's reported posting adjustment, saying the scheme had given the survivors the option to select their preferred destinations.
Families of the victims reportedly paid ransom to secure their release, with one parent disclosing that ₦6m per victim was paid, although the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50m for each captive. Another account indicated that some families raised between ₦3m and ₦6m, alongside additional charges reportedly demanded during the process. Alirat Wahab, the mother of another victim, said the kidnappers reduced their demand to ₦15m before accepting ₦6m after negotiations.
Joy Zainab, a relative of one of the freed graduates, confirmed the survivor's return home and expressed gratitude to those who contributed financially, offered prayers, and publicized the abduction. The NYSC had yet to officially confirm the reported South-West posting arrangement as of the time of filing this report. The graduates were reportedly traveling for their national service when they were abducted.
The incident highlights the security challenges faced by travelers in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East region. The NYSC's offer provides an opportunity for the affected graduates to continue their national service in a safer environment. The six South-West states that are part of the arrangement include Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Ogun.
According to reports, the families sent representatives to Ibadan, where an intermediary facilitated the negotiations for the release of the abducted graduates. The NYSC's decision to offer the posting option is seen as a relief to the affected families, who had been worried about the safety of their loved ones.
The development is a positive step towards ensuring the well-being of the affected graduates, who had been through a traumatic experience. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for improved security measures to protect citizens, particularly in areas prone to kidnapping and banditry.
Key points
- The NYSC offered 20 freed abducted graduates the option to choose their preferred South-West states for national service.
- The graduates were abducted on October 1 while traveling in two commercial buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
- Families of the victims reportedly paid ransom, ranging from ₦3m to ₦6m, to secure their release.
