Kidnappers Demand N950m For 19 Prospective Corps Members In Imo

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Families of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have been thrown into panic after their captors reportedly demanded a total ransom of N950m for their release.

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

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the incident on Friday and said the abductors demanded N50m for each victim.

According to Akpan, the affected buses belonged to his company and were carrying corps members heading to their respective orientation camps.

He said the vehicles left Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but encountered traffic delays around Benin, Edo State, before reaching Onitsha, Anambra State, later that day.

Akpan explained that the drivers could not proceed with the journey because of the condition of the road and spent the night in Oba. They resumed the journey at about 5am on Thursday.

He said the buses had only just entered Imo State when armed men emerged from the bush.

“They blocked the two vehicles and took 19 passengers, all corps members, into the bush,” he added.

The drivers reportedly escaped and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, after which police and military personnel began searching for the victims.

Akpan, however, said the operation faced an initial setback after some villagers allegedly prevented security personnel from moving the abandoned buses from the scene.

The buses were eventually left at the location, with the passengers’ belongings still inside.

The Imo State Police Command had announced on Thursday night that 10 victims had been rescued. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said security agencies were pursuing the kidnappers and conducting a coordinated search for the remaining victims.

Okoye was, however, unable to confirm whether the rescued persons were among the abducted corps members.

Families Receive Ransom Demands

The development has increased anxiety among the victims’ relatives, with some families reportedly receiving direct ransom demands from the abductors.

One parent, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the kidnappers contacted her through her son’s telephone.

“The kidnappers called with my son’s phone this morning (Friday) and demanded N50m for his release. The N50m is for only my son,” she said.

Another parent, Mrs Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, was among those travelling to Uyo. She said the abductors briefly contacted the family using her daughter’s phone.

Friends Seek Help Online

Friends of some of the missing graduates have launched social media campaigns to draw attention to the abduction and seek assistance for their release.

One of the victims was identified as Precious Oladipupo, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University.

Another individual, Adebayo (@Adebayoakim1), appealed on X for support for Wahab Ayandare, whom he identified as another victim of the attack.

A friend, Akinlabi Abayomi (@Mubiiiiin), also appealed for assistance for Oyindamola Adeoye. He said the kidnappers had demanded N50m for her release.

Oyo Government Reacts

The Oyo State Government condemned the abduction and described it as distressing and reprehensible.

The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the state government was communicating with security agencies, the Imo State Government and NYSC authorities over the incident.

He said Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that all necessary resources be deployed towards securing the victims’ safe return.

“We are fully committed to securing the safe release of our children and will stop at nothing to ensure that they are reunited with their families without harm,” the statement read.