IT has been revealed how 10 out of the 30 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) kidnapped while travelling to the Orientation Camp in Abia State escaped through the bush and were not rescued as claimed by security operatives.
News Point Nigeria reports that the parents of the victims, who made the disclosure, said the gunmen had given them a 24-hour ultimatum to pay N50 million for each of the remaining 20 victims, amounting to N1 billion, or face unspecified consequences.
The victims were abducted on Thursday, October 1, when gunmen attacked two buses conveying prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
The parents made the disclosure when they visited the Bodija residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Saturday, seeking his intervention in securing the release of their children.
The affected parents, who also sought the assistance of the Olubadan and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, said the two buses conveying the prospective corps members were attacked in a community in Imo State.
Alhaja Alimot Akande and Oyebola Michael Akande, who spoke on behalf of the other parents in attendance, said 10 of the 30 passengers on board the two vehicles were lucky to have escaped through the bush.
Alhaja Akande said she learnt about the attack through a post made on social media by one of the escapees.
“I rushed to the bus terminal at Sanmonda, but the management of the transport company did not cooperate with us.
“We demanded the manifest to ascertain the identities of the passengers on board the two buses, but they declined.
“After persistent pressure was mounted by the grieving parents, they brought out a paper, but we discovered that the names of some of the affected corps members were not on their list.
“When we inquired further, the response was that the majority of them refused to put their names on the paper.
“We have asked them to produce the drivers of the two vehicles who managed to escape the attacks, but they declined as well.
“I was in contact with my daughter till late on Wednesday. They had a stopover in Delta State, where they passed the night.
“I told my daughter to sleep inside the bus, noting the prevailing security situation in the country. She agreed with me.
“They continued the journey on Thursday, but they couldn’t reach their destination as they were waylaid by the gunmen.
“The kidnappers established a link with the family on Thursday. They are demanding N50 million ransom.
“They have given us a 24-hour ultimatum to make the payment, else something serious will happen.
“Kabiyesi, I don’t have that amount. That is why we are here. Kindly assist us.”
While addressing the parents, the Olubadan assured them that their children would be rescued unharmed.
He said, “I want to assure you 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.”
Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, said he had already contacted his counterpart in Imo State and that efforts were in top gear to secure the victims’ rescue.
He said, “I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue of the abducted prospective corps members and other passengers.
He also ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams and operational assets to intensify the search-and-rescue operation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the statement, DIG Nadada arrived in Imo State with two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.
The DIG also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and operational assets, while issuing further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, Akpan Anitiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders; and members of the Management Team of the Imo State Police Command.