Armed men who abducted 19 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective orientation camps have demanded a total ransom of ₦950 million for their release.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Thursday after gunmen ambushed two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, triggering fresh concerns over the safety of travellers on major highways across the country.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the abductors had contacted some of the victims’ families and demanded ₦50 million for each abducted passenger.
The 19 victims, all prospective corps members, were travelling in two vehicles operated by the transport company and had been deployed to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The massive ransom demand has heightened anxiety among the victims’ families, who are awaiting the safe return of their relatives as security operatives intensify efforts to locate the abductors and secure the release of the kidnapped passengers.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding the incident, Akpan said the two buses departed from Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but encountered heavy traffic around Benin City, Edo State, delaying their journey.
According to him, the vehicles eventually arrived in Onitsha, Anambra State, late on Wednesday but could not continue their journey due to the condition of the road.
The drivers and passengers were consequently forced to spend the night in Oba, Anambra State, before resuming their journey at about 5 a.m. on Thursday.
Akpan explained that the buses had barely entered Imo State when the armed men emerged from a nearby bush, blocked their movement and forcefully whisked away the passengers.
“They blocked the two vehicles and took 19 passengers, all corps members, into the bush,” Akpan said.
He disclosed that the drivers managed to escape from the attackers and immediately alerted security operatives stationed at a nearby checkpoint, prompting a response from security agencies.
Following the report, the police and military reportedly launched a search operation in the area in an effort to track down the kidnappers, locate the abducted prospective corps members and secure their rescue.
However, Akpan said the operation was initially hampered after some villagers allegedly prevented security operatives from evacuating the abandoned buses from the scene of the attack.
The circumstances surrounding the villagers’ alleged action were not immediately clear, while the search for the abducted passengers continued.
The abduction has renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity on Nigerian highways, where armed criminal groups have continued to target travellers through ambushes, kidnappings and demands for huge ransom payments.
The attack has also raised fresh concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to their designated NYSC orientation camps, particularly those deployed to states far from their places of residence.
As the abductors reportedly maintain their demand for ₦950 million, the affected families remain gripped by uncertainty, awaiting further communication and the safe return of their loved ones.
Security operatives are continuing efforts to locate the abducted prospective corps members and secure their release, while the families await the outcome of the rescue operation.