GUNMEN who abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) three days ago have demanded N20 million ransom for each victim, as families appeal to the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their release.
News Point Nigeria reports that the corps members were among passengers travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their three-week orientation exercise when they were abducted along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
A family member of one of the victims told this newspaper that the abductors had contacted the victim’s family and communicated their ransom demand, raising fresh concerns over the safety of the corps members still being held in captivity.
“One of our daughters who was kidnapped on her way from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing three weeks orientation camp. The kidnappers are requesting N20 million naira,” the source said.
The development comes after the Kogi State Police Command confirmed the abduction of some passengers, including NYSC members, along the route.
The command had said 11 abducted persons, including the drivers of the two vehicles involved in the incident, were rescued following a joint operation by security personnel.
However, the police said efforts were still ongoing to locate and rescue those who remained in captivity.
The latest ransom demand has heightened anxiety among the families of the victims, particularly those whose relatives are yet to regain their freedom.
Families of some of the abducted persons have since appealed to the Federal Government, the NYSC and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still being held by the gunmen.
The abduction has further raised concerns over the security of corps members travelling across the country, particularly after completing mandatory orientation programmes and returning to their places of primary assignment.
As efforts continue to locate the remaining victims, their families are hoping that security agencies will act swiftly to secure their safe release and bring an end to their ordeal.
