Households of Abducted NYSC Corps Members Given 24 Hours to Raise Ransom

Households of 20 potential National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway have actually supposedly been offered 24 hours to raise ransom for the release of their liked ones.

The victims were amongst travelers abducted when 2 buses taking a trip from Ibadan to various orientation camps and locations in the South-East and South-South came under attack near the Umunoha axis of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

The households divulged the ransom need throughout a see to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija home on Saturday, where they likewise attracted the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji, for immediate intervention.

According to the moms and dads, the abductors called them through the cellphones of the abducted potential corps members and required ransom for their release.

The households stated the abductors had actually threatened to hurt the victims if their needs were not satisfied within the 24-hour due date.

Speaking on behalf of the afflicted households, Alhaja Alimot Akande and Oyebola Michael Akande attracted the Olubadan and the cops authorities to step in and assist protect the instant release of the abducted corps members.

“They have actually been calling us because the other day with a need for N50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything unfortunate will take place to our kids if we stop working to hearken their demand,” the moms and dads stated.

“There is no other way we can raise such quantity at this duration. Baba, kindly help us. Do not let them eliminate our kids.”

The moms and dads’ account comes as security companies magnify efforts to find and save the staying victims following the attack.

Previously, the Imo State Police Command revealed that security operatives had actually traced the believed abductors to a forest camp utilizing drone monitoring and other intelligence-gathering techniques.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, stated operatives followed the suspects into the bush before drones were utilized to develop the collaborates of the presumed hideout.

“Yesterday we remained in the bush; we tracked them as much as a specific place. At that point in time, we could not move in to where the collaborates revealed us where they are,”Bosso stated.

The cops commissioner described that the thought existence of improvised explosive gadgets (IEDs) around the hideout had actually made it challenging for security workers to right away get in the location.

“But our situation is that with the intel we have, the camp is mined with IEDs,” he stated.

Bosso stated security firms were preparing to approach the area with specialised devices and secured cars to reduce the risk to the rescue groups.

“We are relocating there with high-velocity cars. We are moving with bulldozers and APCs to see how we are going to save these victims,” he included.

The attack happened when 2 buses bring potential corps members and other guests were taking a trip from Ibadan towards Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State. The cars were obstructed around the Umunoha location of Mbaitoli Local Government Area.

Following the attack, authorities and other security workers recuperated both buses and saved 10 travelers at the scene. A number of other guests were taken into the surrounding bush by the assailants.

The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, stated tactical systems and workers from other security companies had actually been released to find the staying victims and collar the suspects.

“Two buses, communicating NYSC corps members and other guests from Ibadan to Uyo, and Bende in Abia, respectively, were assaulted by believed armed guys,” Okoye stated.

“Following a quick action by the Police and other security companies, both buses have actually been recuperated and 10 victims were saved at the scene.”

Okoye stated the saved victims were safe and getting the needed support, while security operatives continued intelligence-led operations in the location.

“Operatives are carrying out collaborated search and rescue operations, backed by intelligence-led tracking of the suspects,” he included.

The Defence Headquarters later on stated 20 travelers had actually been drawn from the 2 buses, consisting of potential NYSC corps members. It stated 10 victims, consisting of 8 potential corps members, had actually consequently been saved.

Soldiers under Operation Udoka are dealing with the authorities and the Department of State Services, with aerial assistance from the Nigerian Air Force, to find and save those still in captivity.