Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps who were abducted while travelling to their orientation camps in Imo State have regained their freedom.
The victims were reportedly rescued alongside another hostage during a coordinated security operation involving the military, police, Department of State Services and other security agencies.
The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 after gunmen attacked two buses conveying them from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in the South-East.
The victims were reportedly taken along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State.
Inside Imo state:
Herdsmen Attack Imo Community, Kill Two
Mother Reveals NYSC Daughter’s Final Message Before Bandits Abducted Travellers In Imo
NYSC Abduction: Kidnappers Reduce Ransom Demand From N1bn To N100m
Their abductors had allegedly demanded N50 million for each victim, bringing the total ransom demand to N1 billion, while threatening to harm them if their families failed to comply.
The families had earlier raised the alarm over the situation and appealed to authorities and traditional leaders for urgent intervention.
Following the abduction, security agencies launched efforts to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible.
The Imo State Police Command had earlier disclosed that drones were used to identify the suspected kidnappers’ hideout.
However, the rescue operation was reportedly delayed after security agencies received intelligence that improvised explosive devices had been planted around the area.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had also deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to coordinate the search-and-rescue efforts in the state.
The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at a DSS facility, according to reports.
Details about the rescue operation, including whether any suspects were arrested or whether ransom was paid, were not immediately available.
About the Author
