NYSC Kidnap: N950m Ransom Throws Families Into Panic

Families of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have been thrown into panic after their captors reportedly demanded N950 million for their release.

The graduates were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, said the attackers blocked the two buses and took 19 passengers, all prospective corps members, into the bush.

According to reports, the abductors contacted some of the victims’ families and demanded N50 million for each person, bringing the total ransom demand to N950 million.

The demand has heightened fears among relatives, many of whom are struggling to understand how such a huge amount could be raised.

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

Another mother, Mrs Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, was among those abducted while travelling to Uyo. She said the family was briefly able to see her daughter and other victims during a video call.

The victims were reportedly seen sitting on the ground in the bush, an experience that further deepened the anxiety of their families.

The attack occurred after the two buses, which departed from Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan, were delayed during the journey. The vehicles reportedly spent the night around Oba before continuing their trip early Thursday morning.

The Imo State Police Command said security agencies had launched a coordinated search operation to locate the abductors and rescue the remaining victims.

Police had earlier announced the rescue of 10 victims following the attack, although authorities were still working to establish whether those rescued were among the abducted corps members.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to orientation camps across the country.

For the affected families, however, the immediate concern remains the safe return of their children as security agencies continue efforts to locate those still in captivity.