Kidnappers who abducted 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps have reportedly demanded N1bn for their release.

The victims’ parents disclosed the ransom demand on Saturday when they visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan.

The affected families were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.

Abductors Demand N50m Per Victim

According to the parents, the kidnappers have been contacting them through the mobile phones of some of the abducted prospective corps members.

They said the abductors demanded N50m for each of the 20 victims, bringing the total ransom demand to N1bn.

Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the kidnappers had threatened to harm the victims if their demands were not 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,” the parents said.

They appealed to the Olubadan and the police to intervene urgently and secure the release of their children.

“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” they pleaded.

Victims Abducted On Imo Road

The 20 prospective corps members were reportedly travelling from Ibadan to their various NYSC orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them.

The incident occurred along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, had earlier confirmed the ransom demand.

Police Locate Suspected Abductors’ Camp

The development came as security agencies intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said security operatives had located the suspected camp where the remaining victims were being held through the use of drones.

However, he said the rescue operation had been delayed because intelligence indicated that the location had been planted with improvised explosive devices.

The development has prompted security operatives to exercise caution as they plan the next phase of the operation.

IGP Deploys DIG To Coordinate Rescue

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also said he had been in contact with his Imo counterpart over the incident.

“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,” Abimbola said.

Ladoja Assures Families Of Rescue

Responding to the anxious parents, the Olubadan assured them that efforts were being made to secure the victims’ safe release.

“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.

The police have not disclosed whether any ransom has been paid, while details of the ongoing rescue operation remain undisclosed.

Security agencies are continuing efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted prospective corps members.