The families disclosed the ransom demand on Saturday when they visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, alongside Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
The prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps when gunmen reportedly attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.
Abductors Demand ₦50m Per Victim
According to the affected families, the kidnappers have been contacting them through the mobile phones of some of the abducted prospective corps members.
The parents said the abductors demanded ₦50 million for each victim, bringing the reported total demand to ₦1 billion for 20 people.
They also said the kidnappers threatened the victims if the ransom was not paid within 24 hours.
The families appealed to the Olubadan and security agencies to intervene and ensure the safe release of the abducted graduates.
The ransom demand had also been confirmed by Isiah Akpan, Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, whose company operates the buses involved in the incident.
Olubadan Assures Families of Rescue Efforts
Responding to the distressed families, Oba Rashidi Ladoja assured them that efforts were being made to rescue the victims safely.
He said the police were working to secure the release of the abducted prospective corps members and promised that information obtained during the rescue efforts would be communicated to the families.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also said he had contacted his Imo State counterpart over the incident.
According to him, the Imo State Police Command had assured him that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims unharmed.
Police Locate Suspected Abductors’ Camp
A fresh development in the case emerged on Saturday when the Imo State Police Command said security operatives had located the suspected camp where the abducted prospective corps members were being held.
Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said security personnel tracked the suspected abductors into the bush before using drones to identify the location of the camp.
However, the police have not immediately launched a direct assault on the location because intelligence indicated that the suspected camp had been planted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Bosso said the security agencies were taking precautions to prevent the abducted victims and rescue personnel from being harmed during the operation.
Reports from the Imo Police update refer to 19 prospective corps members as still being held, while other reports based on statements from the families refer to 20 abducted graduates.
Security Agencies Intensify Search-and-Rescue Operation
Security agencies are continuing efforts to secure the release of the abducted prospective corps members.
The suspected presence of IEDs around the camp has complicated the operation, with security personnel expected to approach the location carefully to minimise the risk to the victims.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling to NYSC orientation camps, particularly those travelling long distances to camps outside their home states.
As of the latest reports, there has been no confirmed information that the full ransom demanded by the abductors has been paid, while security agencies continue their efforts to rescue the victims.
Families Appeal for Urgent Intervention
The affected families have continued to call for urgent action to secure the safe return of their children.
The development has also drawn attention to the need for stronger security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps across the country.
Authorities have yet to announce the successful rescue of all the abducted prospective corps members as efforts continue to reach the suspected hideout.
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