Parents of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, for help in securing the release of their children.
The parents said the kidnappers were demanding N50 million for each victim, bringing the total ransom demand to about N1 billion, and had threatened to harm the abducted graduates if the money was not paid.
The distraught parents made the appeal when they visited Ladoja at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, on Saturday. They were accompanied by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
The graduates were abducted on Thursday after gunmen attacked vehicles carrying prospective corps members travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in different parts of the South-East.
The attack occurred along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State.
The parents said the abductors began contacting some families on Friday, demanding N50 million for each victim.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this time. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande, who spoke on behalf of the families, told the Olubadan.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed their request.”
The families urged Ladoja and security authorities to intervene quickly, expressing fears that the abductors could carry out their threats.
Parents Accuse Transport Company
Some of the parents also called for an investigation into Eduak King Transport Company, which they said conveyed some of the victims from Ibadan.
They alleged that the company failed to provide information that could help affected families contact one another after the abduction.
One of the mothers, Mrs Iyabo Akande, whose daughter Kehinde was among those abducted, said the families visited the company’s office in Samonda, Ibadan, seeking access to the next-of-kin details of passengers on the affected vehicle.
She alleged that the company refused to release the information or assist the families.
“Please, our government and the Inspector-General of Police should help us investigate the transport company, Eduak King, located at Samonda, and put fear into them. Call them to order,” she said.
“Yesterday morning at their office, we were asking for the next-of-kin list so we could contact other parents, but they refused to present it or assist us. They must be held accountable.”
Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, said the families were shocked to find the transport company loading another vehicle when they visited its premises seeking information about the abducted passengers.
“We went to Samonda, to Eduak King. Surprisingly, they were already loading another vehicle. People are complaining. The company should be held liable,” he said.
The allegations against the transport company had not been independently established.
Olubadan Assures Families of Rescue
Responding to the parents, Oba Ladoja assured them that security agencies were working to rescue the abducted graduates safely.
“I want to assure you that your children will be rescued unharmed. We will relay whatever information we gather to you,” the Olubadan said.
“The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself; the police are up to the task, and nothing will happen to your children.”
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, said he had remained in contact with the Imo State police command since the incident.
“I had already contacted the Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” Abimbola said.
He did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid or provide details of the tactical measures being used in the rescue operation.
IGP Deploys DIG to Coordinate Rescue
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in the state with two Commissioners of Police and carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and ongoing rescue efforts.
The DIG also reviewed the deployment of personnel and operational assets and issued additional directives aimed at strengthening the coordinated response.
The assessment involved the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso; the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the Imo State Police Command’s management team.
Iniedu said the police were working with other security agencies to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” he said.
Nadada also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, urging anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or the nearest security formation.
The police said information provided by members of the public would be treated confidentially and that further updates would be issued as the operation progresses.
