In a distressing development, twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were abducted by gunmen while travelling from Oyo State to their designated orientation camps. The graduates were on board two buses belonging to Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited when the vehicle was ambushed along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

Ransom Demands and Family Appeal

Following the attack, the abductors made contact with the victims' families using the captives' mobile phones. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N50 million for each individual, totaling N1 billion for the release of all twenty graduates.

Distraught family members visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, seeking urgent intervention. Speaking on behalf of the families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande pleaded for assistance, emphasizing that raising such a massive sum is impossible for them and expressing grave concern for their children's safety.

Official Responses and Security Interventions

• Traditional Leadership: The Olubadan reassured the families that security agencies are actively working round the clock to ensure the victims are rescued safely and unharmed.

• Oyo State Police Command: State Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Abimbola stated that he has been in close communication with his counterpart in Imo State, who has given assurances of a safe rescue.

• Imo State Police Command: Imo State Police Commissioner Audu Garba Bosso revealed that security operatives successfully located the suspected camp where the victims are being held using drones. However, the rescue operation has required careful planning and a temporary delay because intelligence indicates the area has been rigged with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

• Federal Level Coordination: Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, directly to Imo State to oversee and coordinate the ongoing search-and-rescue mission.

Current Status: Security agencies have intensified tactical operations to neutralize threats at the location and secure the safe release of all abducted prospective corps members.