Gunmen have kidnapped 19 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling to their orientation camp and are demanding N950 million in ransom.
The graduates left Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday in two buses. They were heading to NYSC camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The buses stopped overnight in Anambra State because of traffic and bad roads. They resumed their journey at about 5 a.m. on Thursday.
As the buses entered Imo State, gunmen emerged from the bush, stopped both vehicles and took all 19 passengers into the forest. The drivers escaped and reported the attack to security officers at a nearby checkpoint.
The kidnappers have contacted some families and are asking for N50 million per victim — a total of N950 million.
One parent said the kidnappers called using her son’s phone to demand the money. Another mother, Mrs. Oladosu, said the kidnappers showed her a video call of her daughter and other victims sitting in the forest and crying.
Imo State police spokesman Henry Okoye said 10 victims have been rescued and that security agencies are still searching for the others.
The Oyo State government condemned the attack. Governor Seyi Makinde ordered officials to do everything possible to bring the victims home safely.
According to the bus passenger list, 30 people were on both buses. Those kidnapped include Akande Kehinde, Oladosu Greatness and Akande Farouq.
One victim, Farouq, sent a message to his family group chat before he was taken. It simply read, “Kidnappers!” After that, his phone stopped working.
The attack has raised fresh fears about safety on Nigerian roads. NYSC members travelling to their service camps are now at risk on major highways.
