Ransom for 20 kidnapped NYSC members slashed to N100m

Kidnappers holding 20 prospective NYSC members in Imo State have reduced their total ransom demand from N1 billion to N100 million, amid being tortured in captivity.

The prospective corps members were traveling from Ibadan to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states last Thursday when gunmen ambushed their buses around Umunoha on the busy Owerri-Onitsha Road.

Initially, the abductors demanded N50 million for each of the 20 victims, but over the weekend, they dropped the price to N5 million per person.

However, the ransom reduction has brought little relief to the families, as parents gathered on Saturday at the Ibadan home of the Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to plead for help. They disclosed that the kidnappers have been physically assaulting their children since Friday.

Alhaja Alimot Akande, a parent of one of the victims, while pleading to Oba Rashidi Ladoja said the kidnappers are showing no mercy to male or female graduates.

“They are not sparing anybody. They are beating all of them. Sir, we appeal to the government at all levels to please assist us in getting them rescued out of that place”, Akande.

 The victims include at least three graduates from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso. Families of the kidnapped victims dismissed rumors that some passengers were rescued by security forces, clarifying that the few who escaped did so by running into the bush during the attack.

Many Nigerians and political leaders, including the Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi condemned the situation, stating that young people should not have to travel in fear just to serve their country. Similarly, AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore argued that the NYSC scheme should be suspended or heavily reformed.

“You cannot force young Nigerians to serve their fatherland when the same country cannot guarantee their safety… All corps members should be given the option to serve within their states of origin”, Sowore.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, has confirmed that they already know where the victims are being held using drones but had to delay their raid after discovering the camp was heavily planted with explosives (IEDs). The Police said they are working with other security agencies to clear the explosives and bring the young graduates home safely.