Gunmen who abducted 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have reportedly issued a 24-hour ultimatum to their parents to pay a ransom of ₦1 billion for their release, threatening to harm the victims if their demands are not met.
The prospective corps members were kidnapped last Thursday while travelling to an orientation camp in Abia State, leaving their families in distress and prompting urgent appeals for intervention from security authorities and traditional leaders.
The grieving parents disclosed the ransom demand during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday. They also appealed to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, to intervene and facilitate the safe return of their children.
According to the parents, the kidnappers contacted them using the mobile phone numbers of the abducted prospective corps members and initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim. The total ransom demand reportedly amounts to ₦1 billion for all 20 abductees.
The parents said the gunmen had threatened to take decisive action against the victims if the ransom was not paid within 24 hours, intensifying fears over the safety of their children.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Alimot Akande and Oyebola Michael Akande appealed to Oba Ladoja and the police commissioner to use their positions and influence to ensure the immediate rescue of the kidnapped prospective corps members.
“They have been calling us since yesterday with a demand for ₦50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed their request.
“There is no way we can raise such amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” the parents pleaded.
The families expressed concern over their inability to raise the enormous amount demanded by the kidnappers, urging the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to prevent any harm from coming to the abducted victims.
Olubadan Assures Parents of Safe Rescue
Responding to the appeal, Oba Rashidi Ladoja assured the distraught parents that efforts were being made to secure the safe release of their children.
The Olubadan said the police were working around the clock to rescue the kidnapped prospective corps members and promised that relevant information gathered during the operation would be communicated to their families.
“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,” Ladoja said.
His assurance came amid growing concerns among the families over the kidnappers’ reported 24-hour ultimatum and threats against the abducted victims.
Oyo, Imo Police Commissioners Coordinate Rescue Efforts
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also assured the parents that security agencies were making concerted efforts to rescue the victims unharmed.
Abimbola disclosed that he had already established contact with his counterpart in Imo State, adding that both police commands had been communicating since the kidnapping incident was reported.
According to the commissioner, the Imo State Police Commissioner had assured him that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe release of the abducted prospective corps members.
“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,” Abimbola said.
The coordination between the Oyo and Imo State police commands is part of the ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ release, although the exact location of the abducted prospective corps members and further operational details were not disclosed.
Parents Appeal for Urgent Government Intervention
The kidnapping has left the affected families facing severe emotional distress, with the reported ransom demand and threats from the abductors adding to their fears.
The parents have called for urgent intervention from security agencies and relevant authorities, stressing that they cannot afford the amount demanded by the gunmen and are relying on the police and other stakeholders to secure their children’s freedom.
With the kidnappers reportedly giving the families only 24 hours to meet their demands, the parents are appealing for swift action to ensure the safe return of all 20 prospective corps members.
The police have assured the families that rescue efforts are ongoing, while the affected parents continue to await further information about their children’s whereabouts and condition.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the security risks faced by travellers, particularly young Nigerians travelling to fulfil their National Youth Service Corps obligations.
As efforts to secure the victims’ release continue, the families are appealing for their children to be rescued alive and unharmed.
