The kidnappers were said to have demanded N50m for each of the victims, bringing the total ransom to N1bn.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Parents of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps have confirmed that their abductors gave them just 24 hours to raise a N1 billion ransom or face the consequences of their inability to meet the demand.
They made this known on Saturday during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan.
Twenty graduates travelling from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to their respective NYSC orientation camps in two buses on Thursday were reportedly attacked by gunmen along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, and subsequently kidnapped.
The assailants later contacted the families of their victims and demanded N50m for each person, bringing the total ransom to N1 billion.
On Friday, the Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the ransom demand made by the gunmen.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families—who were accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri—Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the kidnappers contacted them through the mobile phones of the abducted prospective corps members.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for a N50m ransom each. They are threatening that something untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed their request.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this time. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” the parents pleaded.
They appealed to Ladoja and the police commissioner to intervene to ensure the immediate and safe release of their children.
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Ladoja, in his response, assured the families that efforts were being made to rescue the victims unharmed.
“I want to assure you that your children will be rescued unharmed. We will relay whatever information we gather to you. The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry; the police are up to the task, and nothing will happen to your children,” he said.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, stated that he had been in contact with his Imo State counterpart regarding the incident.
“I have already contacted the Imo State CP. We have been in communication since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” he said.
Abimbola, however, did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid or reveal details of the ongoing rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified operations to locate and rescue the abducted prospective corps members.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said on Saturday that security operatives had used drones to locate the suspected camp where the remaining victims were being held.
He noted, however, that the operation had been delayed following intelligence indicating that improvised explosive devices had been planted around the camp.
In addition, 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 coordinate the search-and-rescue operation.
