Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members traveling from Oyo State to their designated orientation camps have been abducted by gunmen who are demanding a N1 billion ransom for their release within 24 hours.
The victims’ families disclosed the development on Saturday during a visit to the private residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, in Bodija, Ibadan. The delegation included Oyo State Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Abimbola and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
The prospective Oyo corps members were traveling in two buses from Ibadan along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, when gunmen intercepted their vehicles on Thursday. The abductors are demanding N50 million for each victim, bringing the total ransom demand to N1 billion.
Isiah Akpan, Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, confirmed the ransom demand to newsmen on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja and Oyebola Akande stated that the abductors have been maintaining contact using the mobile phones of the captive corps members.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50m ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed to their request.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Dont let them kill our children,” the parents said.
The parents appealed to Ladoja and the police commissioner to intervene and secure the safe, prompt release of their children.
In response, Ladoja assured the families that security efforts are underway to rescue the victims unharmed.
Backstory…
Security agencies have intensified operations to rescue the abducted prospective Oyo corps members, with the Imo State Police Command deploying aerial surveillance to track the perpetrators.
Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, announced on Saturday that security forces used drones to locate the suspected camp where the victims are being held. He noted, however, that tactical advancement has been delayed due to intelligence indicating the compound is fortified with improvised explosive devices.
To oversee the mission, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to directly supervise the search and rescue efforts.
How the NYSC Abduction Happened
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2026, around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that gunmen emerged from the bush and blocked two commercial buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, towards NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom.
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