The abductors of twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State have reduced their ransom demand from N50 million to N5 million per victim, lowering the overall figure from N1 billion to N100 million.
Despite the reduction in the ransom demand, growing concerns over the victims’ safety have prompted urgent calls for immediate government intervention following reports from family members that the captives are being subjected to physical abuse.
Speaking through one of her daughters in Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaja Alimot Akande—a parent of one of the abducted graduates—stated on Sunday that the kidnappers have been beating the victims continuously since Friday.
Akande added that the families remain in deep distress over the prolonged captivity and ongoing assault of their children.
Recall that the prospective corps members were traveling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states on Thursday when gunmen intercepted their two vehicles along the Umunoha stretch of the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
The parents disclosed the identities of several abducted victims during a visit on Saturday to the Bodija residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area.
Among the names confirmed by the families are Makinde Mary Oluwapelumi, Akande Kehinde Morufat, Abdul Temiloluwa Sarah, Adeniran Mariam Olulola, Adefioye Ayomide Isaac, Adewale Paul Iyanuoluwa, and Oyede Esther Funmilayo.
Backstory…
Barely twenty four hours ago, on Sunday October 4, the abductors issued a 24 hours deadline to families of the corps members to provide the ransom.
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.
Meanwhile, 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.
Read Also: Oyo, Imo Step Up Joint Efforts To Rescue 20 Abducted Corps Members
