NYSC Kidnap: Ransom Slashed to N100m as Families Raise Alarm Over Beatings

Kidnappers holding 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have reportedly reduced their ransom demand from N1 billion to N100 million.

The victims were abducted on Thursday along the Owerri-Onitsha Road around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area while travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

According to relatives, the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each of the 20 prospective corps members, putting the total ransom at N1 billion.

The demand has reportedly now been reduced to N5 million per victim, bringing the total to N100 million.

However, the reduction has not eased the anxiety of the victims’ families, who allege that the abducted graduates are being physically assaulted by their captors.

One of the relatives, Alimot Akande, whose sister is among those abducted, said the kidnappers had started beating the victims and appealed to the government to intervene urgently.

The families are particularly concerned about the safety of the captives, including the female victims, as the abduction enters another phase.

Security agencies close in on suspected camp

Meanwhile, security agencies say efforts are continuing to rescue the abducted prospective corps members.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, previously disclosed that security operatives used drones to locate the suspected kidnappers’ camp after trailing the abductors into the bush.

However, he said operatives delayed entering the location because intelligence suggested that the area could have been planted with improvised explosive devices.

Security agencies are reportedly preparing additional equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to facilitate the operation and minimise risks to the victims and security personnel.

The Imo State Police Command and the 34 Artillery Brigade have also confirmed that efforts are ongoing to secure the safe rescue of the abducted travellers.

Conflicting accounts over reported rescue

There is also disagreement over the number of people rescued after the initial attack.

Security authorities had earlier reported that 10 passengers were rescued.

However, relatives of the prospective corps members have disputed that account, saying those who escaped during the attack fled into the surrounding bush rather than being rescued by security operatives.

The conflicting accounts have yet to be fully resolved.

For the families, however, the immediate priority remains the safe return of the young Nigerians still believed to be in captivity.

They are appealing to the government and security agencies to intensify the rescue operation and ensure that the victims return home unharmed.