The 20 prospective kidnapped National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who were rescued on Wednesday, have finally arrived in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Relief swept through anxious families as the rescued NYSC Corps members in Ibadan safely reached security headquarters after a week-long ordeal.
Security officials immediately ushered the young graduates into protective care to conduct essential health and debriefing checks following their captivity.
They are currently at the state headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), Aleshinloye, in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state. Security remains tight around the entire facility.
Checks revealed that only representatives of the victims’ parents were given access to the DSS office, while others were staying outside. Distressed relatives gathered outside the gates, waiting patiently for updates about their loved ones.
Details of the NYSC Abduction Along Owerri-Onitsha Road
The victims encountered danger while travelling in two buses from Oyo State to their assigned orientation camps in Abia State. Criminals intercepted the vehicles along their route and took 20 out of 30 prospective corps members captive. The remaining 10 prospective corps members escaped through the bush during the chaotic attack.
They regained their freedom seven days after their NYSC abduction along Owerri-Onitsha road in Umunoha, Imo State. The abductors demanded N50 million each for the victim, amounting to N1 billion. They later reduced the ransom to N5 million per person, totalling N100 million.
Parents Appeal to Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Rashidi Ladoja
Distressed families sought urgent help from traditional and security authorities throughout the painful week. It will also be recalled that the victims’ parents had, on Saturday, besieged the private residence of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, in Ibadan, alongside the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri, to come to their aid. Community leaders joined forces to press for swift action from security agencies.
However, the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Rashidi Ladoja, shortly after the prospective corps members regained their freedom, said:
“The kidnapped graduates have been released. The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, confirmed this in a telephone conversation at about 5.00pm,” Olubadan stated this in a statement issued by his media aide, Adeola Oloko in Ibadan.
Security Concerns Surrounding Kidnapped NYSC Corps Members
The return of these youth corps members brings massive relief to communities across Oyo State and the nation. However, the incident highlights serious ongoing safety risks along major transit corridors. Travelling across state lines for national service now poses severe dangers for young graduates.
Parents continue to demand stronger protection for prospective corps members during national deployments. They want security agencies to guard major highways and escort travel buses during orientation call-ups. Armed patrols along interstate highways would deter criminal gangs from targeting young travellers.
When young graduates travel across the country to serve their nation, their protection must remain a top priority for state governments and security agencies alike. Coordinated highway patrols and intelligence sharing will go a long way in ensuring that no parent has to endure this kind of nightmare again.
Safeguarding Rescued NYSC Members in Ibadan and Future Batches
As the rescued NYSC members in Ibadan reunite with their families, leaders must act swiftly to fix transit vulnerabilities. The government must safeguard corps members travelling across Nigeria so that national service remains safe for all youth. Security forces must clear vulnerable highways to ensure no other family suffers this terrible ordeal.
