Families of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Oyo State have been thrown into utter panic after kidnappers demanded a staggering N950m ransom demand. The daring daylight attack on the Oyo corps members has once again placed severe national focus on NYSC security concerns across major transport routes.
The criminal gang seized 19 graduates along the notorious Owerri-Onitsha road abduction corridor in Imo State while the youths were travelling to their orientation camps.
The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom States when gunmen attacked two buses in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, whose company operates the buses, confirmed the development to newsmen on Friday.
According to Akpan, the kidnappers contacted some of the victims’ families and demanded N50 million for each abducted passenger. The development has heightened fears among relatives, who are anxiously awaiting the safe return of their loved ones as security agencies intensify efforts to locate the victims.
How the Owerri-Onitsha Road Abduction Unfolded
Akpan said the two buses departed Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but were delayed by heavy traffic around Benin, Edo State. He said the buses eventually arrived in Onitsha, Anambra State, late that day. Due to the condition of the road, the drivers and passengers decided to spend the night in Oba before continuing their journey the following morning.
According to him, the buses resumed the journey from Oba at about 5 a.m. on Thursday. Akpan said the vehicles had barely entered Imo State when gunmen emerged from the bush, blocked the buses and forced 19 passengers into the bush.
“They blocked the two vehicles and took 19 passengers, all corps members, into the bush,” Akpan said.
He said the drivers escaped and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, prompting police and military personnel to commence a search for the abductors. Akpan, however, said the operation was initially delayed after some villagers allegedly prevented security personnel from moving the abandoned buses from the scene. The buses were eventually left at the location, with some of the passengers’ belongings scattered inside.
Police Operations Amid NYSC Security Concerns
The Imo State Police Command said on Thursday night that 10 victims had been rescued. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said security agencies were pursuing the abductors and had launched a coordinated operation to rescue the remaining victims. However, he could not immediately confirm whether the 10 rescued persons were among the corps members reportedly abducted from the two buses.
Families Face Staggering N950m Ransom Demand
The reported ransom demands have deepened the anxiety of relatives of the missing graduates. One parent, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Saturday PUNCH that the kidnappers contacted her through her son’s phone and demanded N50 million for his release.
“The kidnappers called with my son’s phone this morning (Friday) and demanded N50 million for his release. The N50 million is for only my son,” she said.
Another parent, Mrs Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, was travelling to Uyo when she was abducted. According to Oladosu, the kidnappers briefly contacted the family through her daughter’s phone and allowed them to see Greatness and other victims during a video call. She said the victims were seen sitting on the ground in the bush and crying.
“Where will petty traders get N50 million? They are just going to serve Nigeria; why this punishment?” she said.
Another victim’s mother, Mrs Alimotu Akanke, said her son, Akande Farouq, who was posted to Abia State, managed to send a brief message to his family before his phone went off. Farouq reportedly sent the word “Kidnappers!” to the family’s WhatsApp group before communication was lost.
Public Outcry for Kidnapped Oyo Corps Members
As families await news of the victims, friends and associates of some of the abducted graduates have launched social media campaigns calling for assistance and their safe release. One of the victims was identified as Precious Oladipupo, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University.
A social media user, Adebayo (@Adebayoakim1), also appealed for help for Wahab Ayandare, whom he identified as one of the abducted passengers. Another X user, Akinlabi Abayomi (@Mubiiiiin), sought public support for Oyindamola Adeoye, who was also reportedly among the victims.
A manifest from the two buses listed 30 passengers, 15 in each bus, although the number of people actually abducted and the identities of those rescued remained subject to clarification as of Friday.
Among those listed on the manifest were Akande Kehinde, Olaleye Mary, Oladosu Greatness, Obafunsho Rhoda, Abdulrof Anifat, Esther Oyede, Hassan Usman, Ayomide Isa, Mary Makinde, Azeez Adejoke and Abdulrazaq Anifat. Two other buses operated by the same company and travelling towards Abia State reportedly escaped the attack.
