Ten of the 30 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling to the orientation camp in Abia State escaped from their captors through the bush, their parents have disclosed.
The parents also revealed that the 10 were not rescued by security operatives, contrary to earlier claims attributed to security sources.
They said the remaining 20 prospective corps members were still in the custody of the kidnappers, who had allegedly demanded N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion in total.
The abductors were also said to have issued a 24-hour ultimatum for payment of the ransom, threatening unspecified consequences if the demand was not met.
The prospective corps members were abducted on Thursday, October 1, when gunmen attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State, reports Nigerian Tribune.
The parents disclosed the latest development when they visited the Bodija residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Saturday to seek his intervention in securing the release of their children.
They also appealed to the Olubadan and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, to assist in securing the victims’ safe release.
Alhaja Alimot Akande and Oyebola Michael Akande, who spoke on behalf of the other parents, said 10 of the 30 prospective corps members on board the two buses managed to escape from the kidnappers through the bush.
Alhaja Akande said she learnt about the incident through a social media post made by one of the escapees.
She said she immediately rushed to the bus terminal at Sanmonda but alleged that the transport company’s management was unwilling to provide information about the passengers.
“We demanded the manifest to ascertain the identities of the passengers on board the two buses, but they declined,” she said.
According to her, the transport company eventually produced a document after persistent pressure from the parents, but some of the names of the affected corps members were missing.
“When we inquired further, the response was that the majority of them refused to put their names on the paper,” she said.
The parents also demanded access to the drivers of the two buses, whom they said had escaped the attack, but alleged that the transport company declined to produce them.
Recounting her daughter’s journey, Akande said she had remained in contact with her until Wednesday night, before the prospective corps members continued their journey towards the orientation camp.
“I told my daughter to sleep inside the bus, noting the prevailing security situation in the country. She agreed with me,” she said.
She said the group had stopped over in Delta State before continuing the journey the following day.
“They continued the journey on Thursday, but they couldn’t reach their destination as they were waylaid by the gunmen,” she said.
Akande said the kidnappers subsequently established contact with the families and demanded N50 million for each of the abducted prospective corps members.
“The kidnappers established a link with the family on Thursday. They are demanding N50 million ransom.
“They have given us a 24-hour ultimatum to make the payment, else something serious will happen,” she said.
Appealing to the Olubadan, she said: “Kabiyesi, I don’t have that amount. That is why we are here. Kindly assist us.”
Responding, Ladoja assured the parents that efforts would be made to secure the victims’ safe release.
“I want to assure you 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,” he said.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola, also said he had contacted his Imo State counterpart over the incident.
“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,” he said.
IGP deploys DIG, two CPs to Imo
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation for the abducted prospective corps members and other passengers.
The IGP also ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams and operational assets to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the statement, Nadada arrived in Imo State with two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
The DIG also reviewed the operational strategy, deployment of personnel and operational assets, while issuing further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, Akpan Anitiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders; and members of the management team of the Imo State Police Command.
The police authorities have yet to publicly disclose the location of the remaining victims or provide details of any contact with the kidnappers, while the parents continue to appeal for urgent action to secure their release.
