Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps, have regained their freedom after seven days in captivity.
The graduates were rescued on Wednesday, October 7, after spending a week in the custody of their abductors. They are currently receiving medical attention at the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri, Imo State.
The 20 prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states on October 1 when gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The attack triggered a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, military, Department of State Services and other security agencies. The victims were eventually located and rescued at Amakohia-Ubi Village in Imo State after sustained efforts by the security agencies.
The development brought relief to the families of the graduates, who had endured days of uncertainty following the abduction. Earlier reports had indicated that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N50 million for each of the 20 victims, amounting to N1 billion, although subsequent reports said the demand was later reduced.
Following their rescue, the victims were taken to the DSS medical facility in Owerri for medical examination and necessary treatment. Their condition is being assessed as they recover from the ordeal.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the rescued prospective corps members at the facility. He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS in the state and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.
The NYSC chief also addressed the victims during the visit, as authorities continued to monitor their condition and provide the necessary support following their release.
The abduction had raised concerns over the safety of young graduates travelling to commence the mandatory national service programme, particularly after the two buses conveying the prospective corps members came under attack during their journey from Ibadan.
The successful rescue of the 20 graduates marks an end to a seven-day ordeal that began as a journey to their respective orientation camps. However, details of the final rescue operation, including whether any ransom was paid and whether suspects were arrested, had not been fully disclosed in the latest reports.
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