Parents of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have appealed for urgent intervention after kidnappers reportedly demanded N1 billion for the release of the victims.
The parents said the abductors had given them 24 hours to raise the ransom, demanding N50 million for each of the 20 people reportedly still in captivity.
The affected families made the disclosure on Saturday during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, seeking his intervention in securing the immediate release of their children.
The victims were abducted on October 1 when gunmen reportedly attacked two buses conveying NYSC members and other passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in the Umunoha area of Imo State.
The Imo State Police Command later said its operatives recovered the two buses and rescued 10 people at the scene, while 20 others remained in the kidnappers’ custody.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the abductors had been contacting the families through the mobile phones of the abducted prospective corps members.
“They have been calling us since Friday with a demand for N50 million ransom each,” the parents said.
They appealed to the Olubadan and the police authorities to intervene before the deadline expires.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” they pleaded.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to coordinate efforts to rescue the abducted corps members.
Force spokesperson, Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada had arrived in Imo State alongside two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing operation.
According to him, the DIG reviewed the deployment of personnel and operational assets and issued directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response to the abduction.
The police have yet to announce the successful rescue of the remaining victims as efforts continue to secure their release.
