Oyo Corps Members’ Kidnappers Give Families 24 Hours to Pay N1bn Ransom

Kidnappers who abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps NYSC members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom have demanded N50 million for each victim.

The victims were travelling in two buses when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, on Thursday.

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Ltd., Isiah Akpan, whose company operates the buses, confirmed that the abductors had contacted some families and demanded ransom for their relatives.

Reports indicated that 19 graduates were abducted during the attack, with the total ransom demand amounting to N950 million.

The development has heightened anxiety among the victims’ families, who have appealed to the Federal and state governments to assist in securing their release.

One parent reportedly said the abductors contacted her through her son’s phone and demanded N50 million for his release.

Another mother, whose daughter was travelling to Uyo, said the abductors briefly contacted the family through her daughter’s phone. The family was reportedly able to see the victims during a video call, with the corps members seen sitting on the ground in a forest and crying.

The police have commenced a coordinated operation to locate the abductors and rescue the remaining victims.

The Imo State Police Command said security agencies were already on the trail of the kidnappers, while efforts continued to establish the identities and whereabouts of those still in captivity.

The incident occurred less than a day before authorities confirmed the rescue of 10 victims abducted during the attack.

The affected corps members were travelling to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the incident occurred.

The development has renewed concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling to fulfil their national service obligations, particularly along inter-state routes affected by kidnapping and other security threats.