Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camp in Abia State have been rescued after spending seven days in captivity.
The graduates were kidnapped on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State.
The victims were rescued around 4:28pm on Wednesday at Amakohia Ubi Village following a coordinated search operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, confirmed the rescue in a statement, saying the victims had been taken for medical examinations and would receive the necessary medical attention.
According to the police, efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, also confirmed the release, stating that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma had informed him of the development.
Governor Uzodimma commended the security agencies for their coordinated efforts, explaining that authorities deliberately kept details of the operation confidential to avoid compromising the rescue mission.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that 20 of 30 graduates travelling in two buses from Ibadan to the NYSC orientation camp in Abia State were abducted by suspected gunmen. The abductors reportedly initially demanded ₦50m for each victim before reducing the total ransom demand to ₦100m.
Source: The PUNCH
