Abductors of the 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) members in Imo State have reportedly demanded a ransom of N950 million for their release.
The graduates were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom when gunmen intercepted two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, on Thursday.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, who confirmed the incident on Friday, said the abductors demanded N50 million for each victim.
According to him, the affected buses belonged to his company and were carrying corps members heading to their respective orientation camps.
He said the vehicles left Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but encountered traffic delays around Benin, Edo State, before reaching Onitsha, Anambra State, later that day.
Akpan explained that the drivers could not proceed with the journey because of the condition of the road and spent the night in Oba.
According to him, they resumed the journey at about 5.00am on Thursday.
Akpan said the operation faced an initial setback after some villagers allegedly prevented security personnel from moving the abandoned buses from the scene.
The buses were eventually left at the location, with the passengers’ belongings still inside.
The Police Command in Imo State had announced on Thursday night that 10 victims had been rescued.
The command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said security agencies were pursuing the kidnappers and conducting a coordinated search for the remaining victims.
Okoye was unable to confirm whether the rescued persons were among the abducted corps members.
The development has increased anxiety among the victims’ relatives, with some families reportedly receiving direct ransom demands from the abductors.
One parent who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the kidnappers contacted her through her son’s telephone.
“The kidnappers called with my son’s phone this morning (Friday) and demanded N50 milliom for his release. The N50 million is for only my son,” she said.
Another parent, Mrs Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, was among those travelling to Uyo.
She said the abductors briefly contacted the family using her daughter’s phone.
Friends of some of the missing graduates have launched social media campaigns to draw attention to the abduction and seek assistance for their release.
One of the victims was identified as Precious Oladipupo, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University.
Another individual, Adebayo (@Adebayoakim1), appealed on X for support for Wahab Ayandare, whom he identified as another victim of the attack.
A friend, Akinlabi Abayomi (@Mubiiiiin), also appealed for assistance for Oyindamola Adeoye. He said the kidnappers had demanded N50 milliom for her release.
He said the buses had only just entered Imo State when armed men emerged from the bush.
“They blocked the two vehicles and took 19 passengers, all corps members, into the bush,” he added.
The drivers reportedly escaped and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, after which police and military personnel began searching for the victims.
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