Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who spent seven days in kidnappers’ captivity have arrived at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, following their release in Imo State.
The 20 graduates were received at the DSS facility in the Aleshinloye area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area on Wednesday after regaining their freedom.
Only representatives of the victims’ parents were reportedly allowed into the DSS premises, while other family members waited outside.
The rescued graduates were among 30 prospective corps members travelling in two buses from Oyo State to their NYSC orientation camps in Abia State when they were abducted. The remaining 10 passengers reportedly escaped into the bush during the attack.
The victims were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State and remained in captivity for seven days before their release.
Their freedom followed efforts by security agencies, community leaders and their families to secure their safe return.
During their captivity, the kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦50 million for each victim, bringing the initial ransom demand to ₦1 billion. The abductors later reduced the amount to ₦5 million per person, leaving a total demand of ₦100 million for the 20 victims.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, had earlier confirmed details of the ransom demand.
The abduction also prompted the victims’ parents to seek assistance from traditional rulers and security authorities.
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On Saturday, some of the parents visited the private residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, alongside the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
Following the victims’ release, Ladoja disclosed that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma had informed him of the development during a telephone conversation at about 5 p.m.
The Olubadan made this known in a statement issued in Ibadan by his media aide, Adeola Oloko.
The arrival of the rescued graduates in Ibadan marks another stage in efforts to reunite them with their families after the traumatic experience.
The relevant authorities are expected to continue monitoring their welfare as investigations into the abduction proceed.
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