The kidnappers of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps have reportedly demanded N1bn for their release.
The victims’ parents disclosed the demand on Saturday during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence in Ibadan.
The families were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
The prospective corps members were abducted on Thursday when gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded N50m for each of the 20 victims, bringing the total ransom to N1bn, while allegedly giving the families 24 hours to meet the demand.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the abductors had been contacting them through the mobile phones of the kidnapped corps members.
“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 to their request.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Dont let them kill our children,” they appealed.
The parents urged Ladoja and security authorities to intervene urgently and secure the safe release of their children.
Ladoja assured the families that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims without harm.
“I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you. 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,” he said.
Abimbola also said he had been in contact with the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, over the incident.
“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Bosso disclosed that security agencies had located the suspected hideout where the victims were being held using drones.
According to him, operatives have, however, delayed moving against the camp following intelligence that improvised explosive devices had been planted in the area.
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The development comes as the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deploys the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation.
The police have yet to disclose whether any ransom has been paid or provide further details on the planned assault on the suspected camp.
