Families of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have appealed for urgent intervention after their captors reportedly demanded a combined N1 billion ransom and threatened to kill the victims.
The parents said the kidnappers demanded N50 million for each graduate and issued a 24-hour deadline for payment.
They made the appeal during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence in Ibadan. The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri, were also present.
The graduates were travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps in two buses when gunmen intercepted them on Thursday along the Owerri–Onitsha Road at Umunoha, Imo State.
According to the families, the abductors have been contacting them through some of the victims’ mobile phones.
Speaking for the parents, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the ransom demand was beyond their means and pleaded for immediate action to protect their children.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” they pleaded.
Oba Ladoja assured the families that security agencies were working to secure the victims’ release and promised to keep them informed of developments.
The monarch urged the parents to remain hopeful, saying the police were pursuing the rescue operation.
He said he had maintained contact with his Imo State counterpart since the abduction and had received assurances that efforts were underway to rescue the victims unharmed.
The police commissioner did not disclose operational details or say whether any ransom had been paid.
