Kidnappers who abducted 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom have reportedly demanded N950m for their release.
The victims were among passengers travelling in two buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors when gunmen attacked the vehicles around Umunoha on the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday.
The company’s Managing Director, Isiah Akpan, said the abductors demanded N50m for each of the 19 corps members. Some of the victims’ families have also reportedly been contacted over the ransom.
According to Akpan, the buses left Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday and were delayed by traffic around Benin, Edo State. They later reached Onitsha, Anambra State, where the passengers spent the night before resuming their journey around 5am on Thursday.
He said the gunmen emerged from the bush shortly after the buses entered Imo State, blocked the vehicles, and marched the passengers into the bush. The drivers escaped and alerted security personnel.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the attack, saying two buses carrying NYSC members and other passengers were intercepted around 6:30am.
Police spokesperson Henry Okoye said security agencies recovered the two buses and rescued 10 victims. He added that the exact number of people abducted was still being verified, while tactical teams continued searching for those still missing.
The development has triggered anxiety among relatives, with some families saying they received calls from the abductors.
One mother, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers contacted her using her son’s phone and demanded N50m for his release.
Another parent, Mrs. Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, and other victims were seen during a video call with the abductors.
The abduction has also prompted appeals on social media for the safe release of the victims, while the Oyo State Government said it was working with security agencies and other relevant authorities on the matter.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to their states of deployment, following several previous abductions involving NYSC members on interstate journeys.
Security agencies have continued search-and-rescue operations in the area, while police have appealed for calm and urged anyone with useful information to contact the authorities.
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