Kidnappers Cut Ransom for 20 NYSC Members to N5m Each as Parents Raise Alarm Over Beatings

Kidnappers holding about 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have reportedly reduced their ransom demand from N50 million to N5 million per victim.

The reduction brings the total ransom being demanded for the abducted graduates from N1 billion to N100 million.

However, the development has done little to ease the fears of the victims’ families, who say the captives are being physically assaulted by their abductors.

One of the parents, Alhaja Alimot Akande, said on Sunday that the kidnappers had been beating the victims since Friday and appealed to the government to intensify efforts to secure their release.

“The kidnappers had reduced their demand from the earlier N50m per victim to N5m each. They are still demanding N5m,” Akande said.

The prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states on Thursday when gunmen reportedly attacked the two buses conveying them around Umunoha on the Owerri-Onitsha Road.

Among the victims identified by their families are Makinde Mary Oluwapelumi, Akande Kehinde Morufat, Abdul Temiloluwa Sarah, Adeniran Mariam Olulola, Adefioye Ayomide Isaac, Adewale Paul Iyanuoluwa and Oyede Esther Funmilayo.

The parents, who released the names during a visit to the residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Saturday, also disputed reports that 10 passengers had been rescued by security operatives.

According to them, those who escaped during the attack fled into the bush rather than being rescued by security personnel.

Akande said she could not confirm how much money the affected families had raised towards the ransom, adding that she was not involved in the individual arrangements between the kidnappers and other parents.

Describing the situation as “horrible, scary and overwhelming,” she said the families became more distressed after learning that the captives were being beaten.

“We appeal to the government at all levels to please assist us in getting them rescued. They have started beating them,” she said.

Akande alleged that the abductors were not sparing female victims and were assaulting the captives generally.

She also disclosed that one of the abducted graduates had been allowed to speak with his father by telephone, but alleged that the kidnappers were monitoring the calls as part of their efforts to determine whether the family could raise the ransom.

The parents said they had been relying on assurances from security agencies while efforts continued to secure the victims’ release.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, had assured the families that security agencies were working to rescue the victims unharmed.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also said he had been in contact with his Imo State counterpart and that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ safe rescue.

Calls grow for NYSC reform

The abduction has renewed debate over the safety and structure of the NYSC scheme.

The African Democratic Congress called for the suspension of the programme for one year to allow the Federal Government to reorganise it and strengthen security measures.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the scheme remained important to national unity but argued that the worsening security situation required an urgent review.

The National Democratic Congress and Labour Party also condemned the abduction and called for the immediate and safe rescue of the victims.

Other political parties, including the Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party, similarly criticised the security situation and called for stronger preventive measures.

The YPP also argued that the NYSC should undergo comprehensive reform to reflect Nigeria’s current security and economic realities, including greater emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, the Seyi Makinde Allied Peoples Movement 2027 Presidential Campaign Council urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to secure the release of the abducted graduates and other Nigerians being held captive across the country.

Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, also condemned the incident, describing it as another indication of worsening insecurity.

Obi called for the immediate and safe rescue of the prospective corps members and the arrest of those responsible.

Universities, politicians demand rescue

The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, expressed concern after it emerged that at least three of its graduates were among the abducted prospective corps members.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Razaq Kalilu, said the institution stood with the affected families and called for coordinated efforts to secure the victims’ safe return.

Meanwhile, African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore called for the immediate suspension and eventual scrapping of the NYSC scheme, arguing that young Nigerians should not be compelled to travel to areas where their safety cannot be guaranteed.

Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, also condemned the abduction and appealed to the kidnappers to release the victims unconditionally.

Alli called for stronger security along major inter-state highways, particularly routes frequently used by prospective corps members and other travellers.

Security agencies say rescue operation ongoing

The Imo State Police Command and the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, said security agencies were continuing efforts to rescue the abducted graduates.

The police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, said operatives were conducting an operation and gradually closing in on the victims.

The 34 Artillery Brigade also said the situation was receiving attention and that security agencies were working together to secure the victims’ release.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, had earlier disclosed that security operatives had identified the suspected location where the victims were being held.

According to Bosso, police drones were used to locate the suspected camp after operatives trailed the kidnappers into the bush. However, the planned operation was delayed because intelligence indicated that the area may have been planted with improvised explosive devices.

He said security agencies were preparing to enter the area with heavy equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to minimise the risk to both the operatives and the hostages.

The latest development has heightened pressure on the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the safe release of the prospective corps members, whose abduction has sparked fresh concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling for national service.