Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and one civilian abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State have been rescued by a joint team of security agencies.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the military, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
The victims were reportedly travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps when gunmen attacked two buses conveying them around Umunoha in Imo State.
Security sources confirmed that the abducted passengers had been successfully rescued and were receiving medical attention at a DSS facility.
The sources said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the abduction and track down other suspects who may have been involved in the operation.
“The victims are currently receiving medical attention at a DSS facility,” a security source said.
It was not immediately clear whether any ransom was paid to secure the release of the victims.
The development comes after reports that the kidnappers had demanded ₦50 million for each of the abducted persons, putting the total ransom demand at about ₦1 billion.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, had earlier confirmed that the abductors made the ransom demand.
The incident had sparked concern among the families of the prospective corps members, who had sought assistance from traditional and security authorities to secure their loved ones’ release.
On Saturday, some of the affected parents visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan.
The parents were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande disclosed that the kidnappers had been communicating with them using the mobile phones belonging to the abducted prospective corps members.
They appealed to the traditional ruler and the police authorities to intervene and help secure the immediate and safe release of their children.
The successful rescue of the victims has brought relief to their families, while security agencies continue efforts to establish the full circumstances of the attack and apprehend those responsible.
