Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom After 7 Days In Captivity
All 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State have regained their freedom, seven days after they were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
The victims are currently receiving medical attention at the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday by the Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Mr. Isiah Akpan.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, has visited the rescued corps members at the hospital to assess their condition.
The NYSC DG also addressed the rescued prospective corps members during the visit.
Details of how the victims were rescued remain sketchy as authorities are yet to disclose whether any suspects were arrested or if ransom was paid.
The 20 graduates were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps last Thursday when gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them, initially demanding N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion, before reportedly reducing the demand to N5 million per person, totalling N100 million.
Following the abduction, security agencies launched a coordinated search operation.
The Imo State Police Command later disclosed that its operatives traced the kidnappers’ hideout through drone surveillance but could not immediately access the location after discovering that the area had been planted with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Additional equipment, including bulldozers and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), was subsequently deployed to facilitate access to the camp.
The police had earlier announced the rescue of 10 of the victims, while efforts continued to locate the rest. With the latest development, all 20 prospective corps members have now been freed.
Reacting to the development, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, commended security agencies for their efforts.
In a statement personally signed by him, Uzodimma praised the personnel for their cooperation and patriotism in ensuring the corps members were rescued safely.
The governor explained that the sensitive nature of the operation and the need to protect the lives of the abducted corps members informed the decision to keep details away from the public while the operation lasted.
He also commended the victims’ parents for their patience and urged Nigerians to remain confident in the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies to tackle insecurity.
