20 Kidnapped NYSC Prospective Corps Members Regain Freedom After Seven Days in Imo

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members kidnapped while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camp in Abia State have regained their freedom after seven days in captivity.

The graduates were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while travelling with other prospective corps members. The victims were among 30 graduates who travelled from Ibadan in two buses.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, confirmed their release on Wednesday, saying the victims were rescued at about 4:28pm at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State.

According to the police, the rescue followed sustained and coordinated search-and-rescue operations involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies. The victims were subsequently taken for medical examination and necessary medical attention.

The circumstances surrounding the rescue were not disclosed, while there was no information on the arrest of the kidnappers. Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend those behind the abduction and bring them to justice.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, also confirmed the release, saying Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma informed him of the development during a telephone conversation. A parent of one of the victims, Alhaja Alimot Akande, expressed relief but said the family wanted to see or speak with the victims before making further comments.

Uzodimma commended the security agencies for their intervention and explained that the government deliberately kept details of the operation discreet to avoid jeopardising the rescue effort. He also thanked the families for their patience and understanding during the ordeal.

The abduction had triggered appeals from the victims’ families for urgent intervention. The kidnappers were initially reported to have demanded N50 million for each victim, totalling N1 billion, before reducing the demand to N5 million per person, or N100 million in total. Authorities have not announced whether any ransom was paid.