The abductors of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling from Ibadan to their orientation camps have demanded a total ransom of ₦1 billion and given the victims’ families 24 hours to raise the money.
The development has heightened anxiety among the parents of the graduates, who have appealed to authorities and traditional leaders to intervene and secure the safe return of their children.
The victims were travelling to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.
According to reports, the abductors are demanding ₦50 million for each of the 20 prospective corps members, bringing the total amount to ₦1 billion.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, had earlier confirmed the ransom demand.
Parents seek Olubadan’s intervention
The affected families on Saturday visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, where they appealed for assistance in securing the release of the victims.
The parents were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the kidnappers had been reaching out to them through the telephone numbers of the abducted graduates.
The parents said the abductors had threatened the lives of the victims if the ransom demand was not met within the stated period.
One of the appeals from the families was that the traditional ruler and security authorities should urgently intervene, stressing that raising ₦50 million for each victim was beyond their means.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50m ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed to their request.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children.”
Ladoja, police assure families
Responding to the parents, Oba Ladoja assured them that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ release without harm.
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The Olubadan said the police were working to rescue the kidnapped graduates and promised that relevant information gathered during the operation would be communicated to the families.
“I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you.
“The Police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself, police are up to the task, and nothing would happen to your children.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner Abimbola disclosed that he had been communicating with the Commissioner of Police in Imo State since the abduction occurred.
He said the Imo police authorities had assured him that efforts were being made to locate and rescue the victims safely.
Abimbola, however, did not disclose whether any part of the ransom had been paid or provide specific details about the ongoing rescue operation.
“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt.”
The families are now awaiting further developments as security agencies continue efforts to secure the release of the 20 prospective corps members.