At least ten of the 30 prospective corps members abducted on the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State has escaped through the bush.
This is according to their parents have revealed who countered claims that they were rescued by security agents.
The parents disclosed this on Saturday during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence, seeking his help to secure the release of the remaining victims.
According to them, gunmen attacked two buses conveying prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to the orientation camp in Abia State on Thursday, October 1. The kidnappers have now demanded N50 million for each of the 20 still in captivity — totaling N1 billion — and issued a 24-hour ultimatum.
Alhaja Alimot Akande and Oyebola Michael Akande, who spoke for the parents, said they learned of the escape through a social media post by one of the survivors.
Alhaja Akande narrated her ordeal at the transport company’s terminal:
“I rushed to the bus terminal at Sango, but the management did not cooperate. We demanded the manifest, but they declined. After persistent pressure, they brought out a paper, but we discovered some of the corps members’ names were not on their list. They said majority of them refused to put their names. We also asked them to produce the drivers who escaped, but they declined.”
She said her daughter had spent Wednesday night in Delta State, sleeping in the bus on her advice due to insecurity, before continuing the journey on Thursday when they were waylaid.
“The kidnappers contacted us on Thursday. They are demanding N50 million ransom and gave us 24 hours, else something serious will happen. Kabiyesi, I don’t have that amount,” she appealed.
The Olubadan assured the parents that their children would be rescued unharmed, saying the police were working round the clock.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, said he was in constant contact with his Imo counterpart who assured him of a safe rescue.
—IGP Deploys DIG, Tactical Teams—
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has deployed DIG Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo to coordinate the rescue.
Force PRO, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in the state on Saturday with two Commissioners of Police — CP Federal Operations, Akpan Anitiok and CP Police Mobile Force — alongside Imo CP Audu Bosso and other service commanders, for on-the-spot assessment and to strengthen tactical operations.
