Rita Enemuru, Reporting
PANIC has gripped the families of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were abducted in Imo State, after their captors demanded a staggering N950 million ransom for their release.
The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in the South-East and South-South when gunmen ambushed their convoy along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha on Thursday.
The two buses, operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, had departed Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday.
According to the company’s Managing Director, Isiah Akpan, the journey was delayed by traffic around Benin, Edo State, before the vehicles reached Onitsha, Anambra State.
He said the drivers and passengers were forced to spend the night in Oba because of the poor condition of the road, resuming their journey at about 5am on Thursday.
Shortly after the buses entered Imo State, gunmen emerged from the bush, blocked both vehicles and marched the passengers into the forest.
The drivers reportedly escaped and raised the alarm at a nearby checkpoint, prompting a joint police and military search operation.
Mr Akpan said the rescue effort was initially hampered when some villagers allegedly prevented security personnel from moving the abandoned buses from the scene.
The abductors have since contacted several families, demanding N50 million for each of the 19 victims in their custody — a total of N950 million.
The Imo State Police Command later confirmed that 10 victims had been rescued, with tactical teams and other security agencies conducting coordinated search-and-rescue operations. The exact number of those still held was initially being verified.
One parent, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the abductors telephoned through her son’s mobile and demanded N50 million for his release.
Another mother, Mrs Oladosu, said the kidnappers briefly contacted her family using her daughter Greatness’s phone. The family was able to see Greatness and other victims 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,” she said. “Where will petty traders get N50m? They are just going to serve Nigeria; why this punishment?”
Mrs Alimotu Akanke, mother of another victim, Akande Farouq, said her son — posted to Abia State — managed to send the single word “Kidnappers!” to the family WhatsApp group before his line went dead.
A manifest from the two vehicles listed 30 passengers, 15 in each bus, although the number of those abducted remained subject to police confirmation.
Friends of the missing prospective corps members have launched social media campaigns appealing for their safe release.
Among those identified were Precious Oladipupo, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, as well as Wahab Ayandare and Oyindamola Adeoye.
The Oyo State Government condemned the abduction, describing it as distressing and reprehensible.
Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade said the state was liaising with relevant security agencies, the Imo State Government and NYSC leadership to ensure a coordinated response.
Governor Seyi Makinde, he added, had directed that all necessary resources be deployed to secure 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.
The government urged affected families to remain calm and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling across states for their orientation programmes.
Security analyst Chidi Omeje warned that criminal networks could exploit the predictable movement of young graduates during NYSC mobilisation periods, urging the Federal Government and NYSC to strengthen security arrangements along known kidnapping corridors.
Fellow security expert Olalekan Jackson-Ojo called for a review of deployment arrangements, suggesting corps members could be allowed to serve within their states or regions rather than being posted to areas considered high-risk.
Educationist Dele Olapeju said repeated kidnappings could undermine public confidence in the NYSC scheme, particularly as parents grow increasingly anxious about their children’s safety.
Thursday’s attack follows a series of similar incidents involving prospective corps members.
In August, 15 were abducted along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Kogi State before security forces rescued them.
The Imo State Police Command said its search-and-rescue operation for any remaining victims was ongoing.
