Families of 19 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) abducted on their way to orientation camps are facing mounting anxiety after kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦50 million per victim, totalling ₦950 million.
The incident occurred Thursday along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State, where gunmen intercepted three buses conveying the corps members. Only one bus escaped, while the others were raided and emptied, with passengers taken into the bush.
One distraught mother recounted her ordeal, explaining that her daughter sent a chilling WhatsApp message reading “k!dn@ppers” before going offline.
Since then, repeated attempts to reach her have failed. “Please, Nigerian government, help us. I beg you in the name of God,” she pleaded, noting that her other twin daughter had safely arrived at her camp in Enugu.
Videos circulating online reportedly show the aftermath of the attack, with eyewitnesses confirming that the abducted corps members were en route to Imo and Abia camps.
The development has sparked outrage and renewed calls for reforms in the NYSC posting system. Critics argue that corps members should be allowed to serve closer to home to reduce exposure to insecurity.
Meanwhile, families and advocacy groups are urging swift action from the Nigeria Police Force and the Intelligence Response Team under Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu.
Public appeals have also been directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, with demands for urgent intervention.
