The kidnappers holding 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have reportedly reduced their ransom demand from N1 billion to N100 million, while relatives say the victims are being physically assaulted.
The graduates were abducted on October 1 after two buses conveying them from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom were attacked along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State.
According to relatives, the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion. The demand has now reportedly been reduced to N5 million per person, bringing the total to N100 million.
A relative of one of the victims, Kehinde Akande, said the reduction had not eased the families’ fears because the abducted graduates remained in captivity and were allegedly being beaten by their captors.
She appealed to the government to intensify efforts to secure their release, saying the victims were being subjected to physical abuse, including the female corps members.
The families have also expressed concern over the response to the abduction and called for urgent government intervention.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation. The police said tactical teams and other security agencies were working together to locate the victims and apprehend the abductors.
The Imo State Police Command earlier confirmed that the two buses had been recovered and that 10 victims were rescued at the scene, while efforts continued to establish the exact number of people still in captivity.
The Oyo State Government has also said it remains in contact with the Imo State Government and security agencies as efforts continue to secure the safe release of the abducted graduates.
