Abductors Demand ₦950m Ransom for 19 Prospective Corps Members

Families of prospective National Youth Service Corps members have been thrown into panic after kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦950 million for 19 graduates abducted in Imo State.

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

Isiah Akpan, managing director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, which operates the buses, told PUNCH that the kidnappers demanded ₦50 million for each victim.

Akpan said the buses left Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but were delayed by heavy traffic around Benin, Edo State.

They later reached Onitsha, Anambra State, where the passengers spent the night before continuing their journey at about 5 a.m. Thursday.

He said the buses had barely entered Imo when gunmen emerged from the bush and blocked them.

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

The Imo State Police Command said 10 victims had been rescued, while security agencies continued searching for those still missing.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye said the exact number of abducted people was initially being verified.

One parent said that kidnappers contacted her through her son’s phone and demanded ₦50 million.

“The kidnappers called with my son’s phone this morning (Friday) and demanded ₦50m for his release.

"The ₦50m 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 contacted the family and allowed them to see some 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 ₦50m?

"They are just going to serve Nigeria; why this punishment?” Oladosu said.

The Defence Headquarters later said 20 people were abducted from the two buses and that 10 passengers, including eight prospective corps members, had been rescued.

Security agencies are continuing a joint search for the remaining victims, as the incident renews concerns about the safety of graduates travelling to NYSC orientation camps.