Kidnappers holding prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road have demanded a fifty million naira ransom per victim. The Imo State Police Command located the abductors’ camp using drones but delayed a ground assault due to improvised explosive devices.
Gunmen intercepted two commercial transit buses traveling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area in Imo State. The ambush occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, targeting passengers journeying from Ibadan, Oyo State, toward orientation camps in the South-east and South-south regions. The vehicles were transporting prospective corps members and other commuters to destinations including Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Bende in Abia State.
Security operatives arrived at the scene and successfully recovered both transit buses while rescuing 10 victims directly from the location. The Imo State Police Command stated that the rescued individuals were safe and receiving necessary attention while authorities worked to verify the exact total of passengers still held by the attackers.
Imo Police Locate Abductors Camp Mined With Explosives
Police authorities in Imo State identified the wooded area where the remaining captives are being held after deploying surveillance drones to track the kidnappers. Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso explained that law enforcement personnel traced the suspects deep into the bush by Friday, confirming their coordinates through aerial surveillance. Last Thursday, gunmen attacked the 20 prospective NYSC members, who had travelled from Ibadan along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while on their way to orientation camps in different vehicles. Mrs Alimot Akande, a resident of Ibadan, has called upon the Nigeria Police Force, President Bola Tinubu, and other security personnel to secure the release of her daughter alongside 18 other captives.
An immediate tactical assault was halted because intelligence indicated the camp had been mined with explosives. The police chief detailed the operational hazard during a briefing with reporters.
To bypass the explosive hazard without harming the captives, the police commissioner stated that law enforcement agencies were preparing heavy equipment, such as bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers (APC), for the rescue operation.
Families Plead for Intervention Amid Twenty-Four-Hour Ultimatum
Deep sorrow overwhelmed the relatives of the 20 seized prospective National Youth Service Corps members, prompting them to seek the aid of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to help liberate their children from captivity. The relatives reported that the kidnappers had established contact using the mobile phones of the abducted graduates.
The abductors demanded a ransom of fifty million naira for each victim, setting a twenty-four-hour deadline and threatening dire consequences if the demands went unanswered. Mrs Alimot Akande appealed directly, stating: I appeal to the Federal Government, the NYSC, the police and other security agencies to rescue my daughter and the others unhurt.
They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) 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. There is no way we can raise such an amount at this time. Baba, kindly assist us.
Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande, speaking on behalf of the affected families, via Vanguardngr
Oba Ladoja reassured the grieving parents that security agencies were actively pursuing rescue efforts to ensure the safe return of every student.
Transport Operator Accused of Withholding Passenger Lists
Parents also directed criticism toward the commercial transport operator involved in the journey. Relatives visiting the offices of Eduak King Transport Company in the Samonda area of Ibadan alleged that staff members declined to provide next-of-kin documentation that would facilitate communication with other affected families.
Mrs. Iyabo Akande, whose daughter Kehinde Akande was among those abducted, urged the government and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the company and hold management accountable for failing to assist relatives during the crisis. Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, expressed frustration that the firm continued routine transport operations while families searched for answers.
Police Deploy Operations Chief to Coordinate Imo Rescue
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu intervened by deploying the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, directly to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation.
Simultaneously, political criticism emerged concerning the broader security climate.