Families of prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State are facing growing anxiety after their captors reportedly demanded a combined N950 million ransom for their release.
The prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha, Imo State.
According to reports, the kidnappers demanded N50 million for each of the 19 victims they reportedly held captive.
NYSC Kidnap Victims Taken Into Bush
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the attack to Saturday PUNCH.
He said the two buses operated by his company left Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday with prospective corps members heading to their orientation camps.
The journey was delayed by traffic around Benin, Edo State. The buses later reached Onitsha, where the passengers reportedly spent the night in Oba because of the condition of the road.
They resumed their journey around 5am on Thursday.
Akpan said the attackers emerged from the bush shortly after the buses entered Imo State. They reportedly blocked the vehicles and forced the passengers into the bush.
The drivers managed to escape and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint.
Families Receive Ransom Demands
The reported NYSC kidnap has left families struggling to establish contact with their children.
One parent said the abductors contacted her through her son’s phone and demanded N50 million for his release.
Another parent, Mrs Oladosu, said her family received a call through her daughter Greatness’ phone. She said the family was able to see Greatness and other victims during a video call.
The mother said the victims appeared distressed while sitting in the bush.
Mrs Alimotu Akanke, whose son Akande Farouq was among those travelling to Abia, said he managed to send a message saying “Kidnappers!” to the family WhatsApp group before his phone became unreachable.
Police Rescue 10 Victims
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that 10 victims were rescued after the attack.
Police spokesman Henry Okoye said tactical teams and other security agencies were conducting coordinated search-and-rescue operations to locate those still missing.
The police had earlier said the exact number of abducted persons was still being verified.
A manifest from the two buses reportedly contained 30 passengers, with 15 people listed on each vehicle. However, authorities had not given a final confirmed figure for those still in captivity at the time of the report.
Friends of some of the affected prospective corps members have also taken to social media to appeal for help and raise awareness about the incident.
Oyo Government Seeks Safe Release
The Oyo State Government has expressed concern over the abduction and said it was working with security agencies, the Imo State Government and NYSC authorities.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said Governor Seyi Makinde had directed the deployment of necessary resources toward securing the safe return of the victims.
The government also urged affected families to remain calm while security agencies continue efforts to rescue those still in captivity.
Concerns Over Safety of Corps Members
The latest NYSC kidnap incident has renewed concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps across the country.
Security analysts have called for stronger travel and deployment arrangements for young graduates, particularly along routes identified as vulnerable to kidnapping.
The incident also comes after previous attacks involving prospective corps members travelling between states.
The Imo State Police Command said its search operation for the remaining victims was still ongoing.