Prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) abducted while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps have been released, the Olubadan of Ibadanland’s palace has confirmed.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, conveyed the development to the Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, during a telephone conversation at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
A statement issued by Adeola Oloko, Media Aide to the Olubadan, said the monarch welcomed the safe release of the prospective corps members and appreciated the authorities and individuals who contributed to efforts that secured their freedom.
The victims were abducted on Thursday, October 1, when gunmen attacked two commercial buses travelling from Ibadan along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
The buses were carrying graduates travelling to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were intercepted around the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
The Imo State Police Command said the attack occurred at about 6:30 a.m. and later reported that 10 victims had been rescued while security agencies continued operations to locate the remaining abductees.
The abduction generated concern in Oyo State after relatives of the victims visited Olubadan Ladoja in Ibadan on October 3 to seek his intervention.
At the time, the families said the abductors had demanded N50 million for each victim, putting the reported ransom demand at N1 billion.
They also said the kidnappers had given them 24 hours to raise the money.
By October 5, reports indicated that the kidnappers had reduced the demand to N5 million per victim, or N100 million for 20 victims.
Families also alleged that some of the captives were being physically assaulted.
The latest confirmation from the Olubadan’s palace indicates a major development in the prolonged rescue operation, although details of how the remaining prospective corps members were freed were not immediately disclosed.
