Kidnappers Demand N950m for 19 NYSC Corps Members Abducted in Imo
Kidnappers have demanded a total of N950 million for the release of 19 NYSC corps members abducted while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom.
The victims were travelling in two buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors when gunmen ambushed them around Umunoha along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State, early Thursday morning. The company’s Managing Director, Isiah Akpan, said the abductors demanded N50 million for each victim.
According to Akpan, the buses left Ibadan on Wednesday, spent the night in Oba after traffic and road conditions delayed their journey, and resumed at about 5am Thursday. Shortly after entering Imo State, gunmen emerged from the bush and attacked.
“They blocked the two vehicles and took 19 passengers, all corps members, into the bush,”
The drivers reportedly escaped and alerted security personnel, prompting police and military search operations. The Imo State Police Command later said 10 victims had been rescued, although it could not immediately confirm whether they were among the abducted corps members.
Families of the victims have also confirmed contact with the kidnappers. One parent said:
“The kidnappers called with my son’s phone this morning (Friday) and demanded N50m for his release. The N50m is for only my son,”
Mrs. Oladosu, whose daughter Greatness was travelling to Uyo, said the family saw her and other corps members during a video call.
“They used my daughter’s number to call us. We saw her and other corps members sitting on the ground in the bush, crying. Where will petty traders get N50m? They are just going to serve Nigeria; why this punishment?”
Another victim, Akande Farouq, reportedly sent a one-word message, “Kidnappers!”, to his family WhatsApp group before his phone became unreachable.
A vehicle manifest showed 30 passengers, 15 in each bus, while two other buses belonging to the same company and travelling to Abia State reportedly escaped the attack.
