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The families of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling to their orientation camps have appealed for urgent intervention after their abductors demanded a total ransom of N1bn.
The prospective corps members, who were travelling from Ibadan to their various NYSC orientation camps, were kidnapped on Thursday after gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
The victims’ parents disclosed the ransom demand on Saturday when they visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan. They were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
According to the families, the abductors demanded N50m for each of the 20 prospective corps members, bringing the total ransom to N1bn.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, had also confirmed the ransom demand on Friday.
Parents Seek Urgent Intervention
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the kidnappers had continued to contact them using the mobile phones of the abducted prospective corps members.
The parents said the abductors had threatened the victims’ lives if their demands were not met, adding that the families could not raise the amount being requested.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50m ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed to their request.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Dont let them kill our children,” the parents said.
The families appealed to Ladoja and the police authorities to intervene and ensure the immediate rescue of the abducted graduates.
Ladoja, Police Assure Families
Responding to the appeal, Ladoja assured the parents that efforts were being made to secure the release of the victims without harm.
“I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you. The Police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself, police are up to the task, and nothing would happen to your children.”
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola, also disclosed that he had remained in contact with his Imo State counterpart since the incident occurred.
“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” he said.
The commissioner, however, did not disclose whether any portion of the ransom had been paid or provide details about the ongoing rescue operation.
Security Agencies Intensify Search
Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified efforts to locate the abducted prospective corps members and secure their safe release.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said on Saturday that security operatives had deployed drones as part of efforts to identify the suspected location where the victims were being held.
However, Bosso said the rescue operation had been delayed after intelligence gathered by security agencies indicated that improvised explosive devices had been planted around the suspected camp.
The presence of the suspected explosives has added another layer of difficulty to the operation, with security personnel required to take precautions while attempting to reach the victims.
The incident has also prompted further intervention from the Nigeria Police Force leadership.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to strengthen the search-and-rescue operation.
Nadada is expected to coordinate the efforts of the police and other security personnel involved in the operation.
The families continue to await the safe return of the 20 prospective corps members as security agencies work to locate the victims and secure their release.
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