The Oyo State Government announced on Sunday that it is collaborating closely with the Imo State Government and relevant security agencies to secure the safe release of 20 abducted corps members of Oyo State origin abducted in Imo State.
In a statement issued in Ibadan by Information Commissioner Dotun Oyelade, the government confirmed maintaining continuous inter-state communication with Imo authorities while actively coordinating with security personnel across both states.
Oyelade said, “Oyo State is volunteering the templates and experiences it garnered during the Oriire kidnapping incident,” noting that “the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction, submitted last week by the Hon. Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade-led panel, is also useful in the ongoing bilateral discussions.”
The abducted corps members were traveling from Ibadan to their orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen intercepted their two vehicles along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Umunoha, Imo State.
Police explain reason for delayed raid
The Imo State Police Command has located the hideout where 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members are being held, though security forces have delayed raiding the camp over concerns it is rigged with improvised explosive devices.
State Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso disclosed this during a media update on Saturday regarding the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Bosso stated that security personnel deployed drones on Friday to track the abductors into the forest, successfully pinpointing the camp’s location.
However, he noted that intelligence indicating the area had been mined with IEDs prompted tactical caution among operational forces.
Backstory…
The rescue effort intensified after the abductors reportedly contacted the families of the prospective corps members and demanded N50 million for each victim. With 20 graduates said to remain in captivity, the total ransom demand amounted to N1 billion.
The families said the kidnappers also gave them a 24-hour deadline, threatening that something could happen to the victims if the money was not produced.
The ransom demand came two days after gunmen intercepted two buses carrying the graduates from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps. The attack occurred on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
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