Parents of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and security agencies to urgently secure the release of their children.
The distraught parents made the appeal when they visited the Olubadan at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, alongside the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
According to the families, the abductors have demanded a ransom of N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion, and threatened to harm the victims if the money was not paid within 24 hours.
The 20 prospective corps members were reportedly travelling from Ibadan to different NYSC orientation camps when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, last Thursday.
One of the affected parents, Iyabo Akande, whose daughter, Kehinde Akande, is among those abducted, also called for an investigation into the transport company that conveyed the prospective corps members.
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The parents alleged that Eduak King Transport Company, located in Samonda, Ibadan, refused to provide information about the next of kin of passengers on the affected vehicle when they visited the company’s premises seeking assistance.
Akande urged the Inspector-General of Police and relevant authorities to investigate the transport operator and hold anyone found culpable accountable.
Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, expressed concern that the transport company continued its operations despite the incident.
He said the parents were surprised to see another vehicle being loaded when they visited the company’s premises in search of information.
Appeal to the Olubadan
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the abductors had been contacting families since Friday with ransom demands.
They appealed to Oba Ladoja to intervene, saying the families lacked the financial capacity to raise the N50 million demanded for each victim.
The parents also expressed fears that the abductors could carry out their threats if the ransom demands were not met.
Responding, Oba Rashidi Ladoja assured the families that concerted efforts were underway to rescue the abducted prospective corps members alive and unhurt.
He said security agencies were working around the clock and urged the families not to lose hope.
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The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also disclosed that he had remained in contact with the Imo State Commissioner of Police since the incident occurred.
According to him, the Imo State police command had assured him that efforts were being made to secure the victims’ safe rescue.
The police commissioner, however, did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid or provide specific operational details concerning the ongoing rescue efforts.
Police Deploy DIG Operations to Imo
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said the DIG arrived in the state alongside two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
He also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and available operational assets while issuing further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
The assessment involved the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other security commanders and members of the Imo State Police Command’s management team.
The police said they were working with sister security agencies to rescue the abducted persons safely and apprehend the perpetrators.
The DIG Operations assured members of the public that the Nigeria Police Force would sustain the operation until the victims were safely rescued.
He also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and vigilant and urged anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
The police said information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality as the search-and-rescue operation continues.
