₦950m Ransom Demand: Families Panic as 19 Prospective NYSC Members Remain in Captivity

Families of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling to their orientation camps have been thrown into panic following a reported demand of ₦950

The prospective corps members were reportedly 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 in the Umunoha area of Imo State.

According to reports, the victims were intercepted by the gunmen after the buses had entered Imo State early Thursday morning. The attackers reportedly forced the passengers into the bush before fleeing the scene.

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the incident, stating that the abductors had demanded ₦50 million for each of the 19 prospective corps members, bringing the total ransom demand to ₦950 million.

The two buses had reportedly departed from Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but encountered heavy traffic around Benin, Edo State, before proceeding towards Onitsha, Anambra State.

The drivers were said to have spent the night in Oba, Anambra State, before continuing their journey at about 5am the following day.

According to the account, shortly after the buses entered Imo State, the gunmen emerged from the bush, blocked the vehicles and abducted the passengers.

The drivers reportedly escaped and raised the alarm, prompting security personnel to launch a search operation in the area.

The Imo State Police Command subsequently disclosed that 10 victims had been rescued, while security agencies continued efforts to locate other abducted passengers.

However, the development has left relatives of the victims deeply distressed, particularly following reports that the abductors had begun contacting families to demand ransom.

One of the parents reportedly said the kidnappers contacted her through her son’s phone and demanded ₦50 million for his release.

Another parent, Mrs Oladosu, said the abductors contacted her family through her daughter, Greatness’ phone and briefly allowed them to see some of the victims during a video call.

She reportedly said the prospective corps members were seen sitting on the ground in the bush and crying, heightening fears over their safety.

The mother of another victim, Akande Farouq, also disclosed that her son, who was posted to Abia State, managed to send a brief distress message to the family WhatsApp group before his phone became unreachable.

The message reportedly read, “Kidnappers!”

The abduction has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps across the country, with affected families anxiously awaiting the safe release of their loved ones.

Security agencies are continuing search and rescue operations, while families remain hopeful that all the abducted prospective corps members will be rescued safely.