The kidnappers who abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps have reportedly given the victims’ parents 24 hours to raise ₦1 billion ransom for their release.

The parents of the affected graduates disclosed the demand on Saturday when they visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan.

According to the families, the abductors are demanding ₦50 million for each victim, with the ransom amounting to ₦1 billion for the 20 prospective corps members reportedly in captivity.

Gunmen Attacked Buses in Imo

The prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen reportedly attacked the two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

The vehicles were operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited.

The company’s Managing Director, Isiah Akpan, had earlier confirmed that the abductors contacted some of the victims’ families and demanded ₦50 million for each person.

Earlier reports put the number of people abducted at 19, while the latest PUNCH report, citing the affected parents, referred to 20 prospective corps members. The difference has not been fully clarified by the authorities.

Parents Appeal for Urgent Intervention

Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the kidnappers had been contacting them through the mobile phones of some of the abducted graduates.

The parents said the abductors had threatened that the victims could be harmed if the ransom was not paid within the stipulated period.

They appealed to the Olubadan and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Abimbola, to intervene and assist in securing the immediate release of their children.

The families said raising such a large amount within the given timeframe was beyond their means.

Olubadan Assures Families

Responding to the appeal, Oba Rashidi Ladoja assured the parents that efforts were being made to rescue the victims safely.

He said information gathered during the rescue operation would be communicated to the families and urged them not to lose hope.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police also said he had been in contact with his counterpart in Imo State regarding the incident.

Abimbola said the Imo State Police Command had assured him that security agencies were working to rescue the victims unharmed.

Police Locate Suspected Abductors’ Camp

The latest development came as security agencies intensified efforts to locate the abducted graduates.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said security operatives had used drones to identify the suspected location where the victims were being held.

However, he said the operation to move into the area had been delayed because intelligence indicated that the suspected camp had been planted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

According to Bosso, security agencies were preparing to deploy appropriate equipment to enable them enter the area and conduct the rescue operation safely.

Police Deploy Senior Officer for Rescue Operation

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue efforts.

Security agencies are continuing operations aimed at locating the abductors and securing the safe release of the victims.

No information was provided on whether any ransom had been paid as of the time of the report.