Families of prospective National Youth Service Corps members from Oyo State have been thrown into panic after kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦50 million for each abducted victim following an attack on two buses travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The buses were attacked along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday, with the abductors reportedly taking passengers into the bush.

19 Passengers Reportedly Taken

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, whose company operates the buses, confirmed the incident.

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

The buses later reached Onitsha, Anambra State, where the drivers and passengers decided to spend the night before continuing their journey because of the condition of the road.

According to Akpan, the buses resumed their journey at about 5 a.m. on Thursday and had barely entered Imo State when gunmen emerged from the bush, blocked the vehicles and forced 19 passengers, reportedly all corps members, into the bush.

He said the drivers managed to escape and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, after which police and military personnel began searching for the abductors.

Families Receive Ransom Demands

The reported ransom demands have heightened anxiety among the families of the missing graduates.

Akpan said the kidnappers contacted some of the victims’ families and demanded ₦50 million for each person.

Some parents who spoke to Channels Television appealed to the Oyo State and Federal Governments to intervene and assist in securing the safe release of their children.

One parent, Olawale Olalere, said his son had been posted to Abia State for the NYSC programme but was kidnapped before reaching his destination.

Another parent, Mrs Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, was travelling to Uyo when she was abducted.

She said the kidnappers briefly contacted the family through her daughter’s phone and allowed relatives to see Greatness and other victims during a video call.

According to her, the victims were seen sitting on the ground in the bush and crying.

Another parent, Alimotu Akanke, said her son, Akande Farouq, who was posted to Abia State, managed to send the word “Kidnappers!” to the family’s WhatsApp group before communication was lost.

10 Victims Rescued

Less than 24 hours after the attack, the Imo State Police Command announced that 10 victims had been rescued.

However, Channels Television reported that it was initially unclear whether all the rescued persons were among the corps members abducted from the two buses.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said security agencies had launched a coordinated operation to locate the abductors and rescue those still in captivity.

A separate report by Nigeria Info said the Defence Headquarters later stated that 20 people were abducted, including prospective corps members, while 10 passengers had been rescued. It said the rescued group included eight prospective corps members.

Passenger Figures Yet to Be Fully Clarified

There are also differences in the reported passenger figures.

A manifest from the two buses reportedly listed 30 passengers, with 15 passengers in each vehicle. However, Channels Television said the actual number abducted and the identities of those rescued remained subject to clarification because security authorities had yet to release the transport company’s official manifest.

Friends and relatives of the affected graduates have meanwhile launched social media campaigns seeking assistance and calling for their safe release.

Oyo Government Assures Families

The Oyo State Government has condemned the abduction and assured affected families that efforts were being made to secure the release of the victims.

The assurance was given when families of the abducted corps members visited the Oyo State Government Secretariat in protest over the incident.

The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Sunday Odukoya, who received the group, said the governor was working with relevant stakeholders to secure the safe release of the corps members.

Security agencies are continuing efforts to locate the abductors and rescue those still missing.