Abducted NYSC Members:Kidnappers Demand N1bn Ransom

By Molayo Anjorin

The kidnappers who abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have asked their family members to prepare a total ransom amounting to N1billion.

The abducted NYSC Members were on their way from Ibadan to Abia and Akwa Ibom orientation camps in two buses which were ambushed by masked gunmen on October 1.

According to PUNCH, the parents of the victims disclosed that the criminals demanded N50 million each from the parents of the 20 prospective corps members and given them 24 hours to deliver the ransom.

One of the parents, Alimot Akande, said, “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 their request.”

Security agencies have, however, delayed the operation to rescue the victims to avoid walking into an IED (improvised explosive device) trap after intelligence reports indicated that the camp was mined.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, said drones had spotted the camp but security personnel could not gain access to it immediately.

“The drone actually showed us exactly their location. But our predicament is that with the intel, the IEDs, the camp is mined with IEDs,” Bosso said.

He further stated that bulldozers and armoured vehicles would be used to clear a route into the camp.

The Inspector-General of Police has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, Barr Shehu Nadada, to take charge of the operation for the rescue mission.

The families have begged for swift action as the time given by the kidnapper, which expires in 24 hours, draws near while security agencies work tirelessly to find the missing NYSC prospective members.