Breaking: 20 abducted NYSC corps members regain freedom 7 days after

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling from Oyo state to their orientation camps in Abia state have regained their freedom after spending seven days in captivity.

The graduates were kidnapped last Thursday along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo state, after gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them from Ibadan.

The victims were travelling to their respective NYSC orientation camps when the attackers intercepted the buses and took the 20 prospective corps members hostage.

The abduction sparked concern among their families and raised fresh concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling to commence the mandatory national service programme.

Ransom demand reduced from N1bn to N100m

The abductors initially demanded N50 million for each of the 20 victims, putting the total ransom at N1 billion.

However, the kidnappers later reduced the ransom demand to N5 million per victim, bringing the total amount demanded for the release of all 20 prospective corps members to N100 million.

The circumstances surrounding the payment of the ransom, if any, and how the victims were eventually released were not immediately disclosed as of the time of filing this report.

Rescued victims receive treatment in Owerri

Following their release, the 20 victims were taken to the Department of State Services Hospital in Owerri, Imo state, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

The victims are being monitored as they recover from their experience in captivity.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the rescued prospective corps members at the facility.

Nafiu was accompanied by the Imo state Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Imo State.

During the visit, the NYSC Director-General met with the victims and assessed their condition. He also addressed the rescued prospective corps members.

Confirmation of release

The release of the 20 victims was also confirmed by the Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, on Wednesday.

The development ends a seven-day ordeal for the graduates, who had been travelling from Ibadan to Abia state to begin their NYSC orientation activities before they were abducted.

Details surrounding their release, including whether security agencies arrested any of the suspected kidnappers, were not immediately available.

The incident has again highlighted security concerns along major inter-state routes used by prospective corps members and other travellers, particularly as young graduates travel to different parts of the country for the NYSC programme.