Amidst Torture Of Abducted NYSC Members, Oyo, Imo Collaborate On Rescue Efforts, As Kidnappers Reduce Ransom To N5m

By Ayodele Oni

Spending four days in captivity, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State are still waiting for their rescue by security agents, just as their ransom demand has been reduced to N5 million per victim, from N50 million, amidst physical assault.

This is just as the Oyo State Government has disclosed that it is working closely with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure the safe release of the victims.

Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, stated that the state is sharing templates and experiences from previous kidnapping incidents to aid the ongoing bilateral discussions.

Oyelade emphasized that while delicate security measures cannot be fully disclosed, the primary focus remains on swift federal and state coordination to ensure the graduates’ safe return.

The development has heightened anxiety among families of the graduates, who were intercepted on October 1, 2026, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha while traveling from Ibadan to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The abductors had initially demanded N50 million for each of the victims, totaling N1 billion.

However, family members revealed that the captors slashed the demand as a payment deadline approached, even as they subjected the young graduates to severe beatings.

Alhaja Alimot Akande, whose 25-year-old sister Kehinde Akande is among the abducted graduates, described the situation as overwhelming and terrifying, noting that the captors had been beating the victims, including the female graduates, since Saturday.

Meanwhile, distressed parents have accused the transport operator, Eduak King Transport Company based in Samonda, Ibadan, of failing to assist them.

 Mrs. Iyabo Akande, another parent, alleged that the company refused to release the passenger manifest or next-of-kin details when families visited the office to coordinate their efforts.

Parents expressed shock that the firm continued normal loading operations despite the tragedy, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the transport company’s handling of the incident.

The incident has also drawn sharp condemnation from political figures. Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), described the abduction as a distressing indicator of worsening national insecurity.

 Obi stressed that young Nigerians preparing to serve their country should not have to travel in fear, urging security agencies to immediately rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

Local leaders in the affected area have raised alarms over persistent security challenges along the highway.

Chief Charles Obialor, a community leader of the Azara-Obiator Autonomous Community, attributed the frequent attacks to vast stretches of undeveloped land and dense forests, such as the Alasieke Forest, which he suspects is being used as a hideout.

Obialor urged the government to clear the surrounding bushes and establish major development projects to increase security presence.

While official reports indicate that security forces previously rescued 10 victims and recovered the two intercepted buses, Obialor disputed these figures.

He claimed that 34 people were originally taken during the morning ambush, with only two escaping, suggesting that more victims may still be held captive than officially acknowledged.

Imo State Police Command has revealed that the bandits have planted mines around the victims which has impeded the rescue efforts.