Gunmen Demand N1bn Ransom For Abducted Corps Members

Gunmen who abducted 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Abia State have demanded a N1 billion ransom for their release.

The victims were reportedly travelling to the NYSC orientation camp when the kidnappers seized them last Thursday.

The abductors have also given the families a 24-hour deadline to raise the money, threatening to harm the victims if their demand goes unmet.

The distressed parents disclosed the development during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence on Saturday.

They also sought the intervention of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji, who was present during the meeting.

According to the parents, the kidnappers contacted them through the mobile telephone lines of the abducted prospective corps members.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Alhaja Alimot Akande and Oyebola Michael Akande appealed to Oba Ladoja and the police commissioner to intervene urgently and secure the victims’ release.

“They have been calling us since yesterday with a demand for N50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed their request,” they said.

The parents said the ransom demand had placed them under severe pressure, adding that most families could not raise such an amount within the short deadline.

“There is no way we can raise such amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” they pleaded.

The parents said they approached the traditional ruler because of the kidnappers’ threat and the urgency of securing their children’s safety.

Responding, Oba Ladoja assured the families that efforts would continue to secure the victims’ safe return.

“I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you,” the Olubadan said.

He urged the parents to remain calm, assuring them that the police were working to secure the victims’ release.

“The Police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself, Police are up to the task, and nothing would happen to your children,” Ladoja said.

The state police commissioner also assured the families that security agencies were coordinating efforts to rescue the abducted corps members.

He disclosed that he had contacted the Imo State Commissioner of Police over the incident, given the location of the abduction and the need for joint action.

“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” the commissioner said.

The development has heightened concerns among the affected families as they await further communication from the security agencies on the rescue operation.