Parents of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by gunmen in Imo State have raised the alarm over threats to kill their children, following a 24-hour ultimatum issued by their captors for the payment of a staggering N1bn ransom.
The distraught parents disclosed that the abductors had demanded N50m for each of the victims and threatened that something untoward would happen to the young graduates if the ransom was not paid within the stipulated period.
The parents made the disclosure on Saturday when they visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, alongside the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri, to seek urgent intervention for the safe return of their children.
Recall that the 20 graduates were abducted on Thursday while travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps in two buses. The vehicles were attacked by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
The latest development has heightened anxiety among the affected families, particularly as the abductors have reportedly maintained contact with them through the mobile phones of the kidnapped prospective corps members.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the kidnappers had been calling since Friday, insisting on the payment of N50m for each victim and threatening the lives of the young graduates should their demands not be met.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50m ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed to their request.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” the parents pleaded.
They appealed to the Olubadan and the police commissioner to intervene urgently, expressing fears that the lives of their children could be in danger if the abductors carried out their threats.
Responding to the appeal, Oba Ladoja assured the families that concerted efforts were being made by security agencies to rescue the abducted graduates alive and unhurt.
He said, “I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you. The Police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself, police are up to the task, and nothing would happen to your children.”
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Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, disclosed that he had been in constant communication with his counterpart in Imo State since the incident occurred, expressing confidence that the victims would be rescued safely.
“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” he said.
However, the police commissioner did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid by the families or provide specific details of the ongoing rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the families remain gripped by uncertainty as the 24-hour ultimatum issued by the abductors places further pressure on efforts to secure the safe return of the 20 prospective corps members.
