Kidnappers holding 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have reduced their ransom demand from ₦50 million to ₦5 million per victim, bringing the total demand down from ₦1 billion to ₦100 million.
The development came as relatives of the victims raised fresh alarm, alleging that the captives, including female graduates, were being beaten by their abductors.
The prospective corps members were abducted on Thursday while travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Gunmen reportedly attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
One of the affected relatives, Alimot Akande, whose 25-year-old sister, Kehinde Akande, is among the victims, said the kidnappers had reduced the ransom but continued to assault the captives.
“They are still demanding N5 million. They have come down to N5 million each,” she said.
Akande described the situation as “horrible, scary, and overwhelming,” adding that the families were struggling to raise the money while relying on assurances from security agencies.
She alleged that the kidnappers were beating all the captives and urged the government to intensify efforts to secure their release.
The Imo State Police Command has said security operatives are continuing search-and-rescue efforts. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, also deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, and two commissioners of police to strengthen the operation.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said security operatives had tracked the suspected kidnappers and used drones to locate their camp. However, fears that the area may have been planted with improvised explosive devices have delayed a direct assault on the hideout.
Police had earlier confirmed that 10 victims were rescued at the scene of the attack, while the exact number of those still in captivity was being verified. Subsequent reports from the police and families have put the number of prospective corps members still missing at about 19 to 20.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government said it was working with the Imo State Government, NYSC authorities, and security agencies to secure the victims’ release.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the state was sharing its experience from the recent Oriire abduction with Imo authorities as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.
He added that the federal government should explain the broader security measures being taken to rescue the victims, stressing that Oyo State would continue working to bring its citizens home safely.
The families have also accused the transport company that conveyed the graduates from Ibadan of withholding passengers’ next-of-kin information when they visited its Samonda office seeking assistance. The company was not available to respond to the allegations when reporters visited its premises.
Leave feedback about this