By Chinedu Echianu
All 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State have regained their freedom.
The victims were kidnapped seven days ago along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while travelling in two buses from Ibadan.
They are currently receiving medical attention at the Department of State Services, DSS, Hospital in Owerri.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the victims at the hospital to assess their condition and assure them of the organisation’s support.
He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the DSS and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.
Nafiu also addressed the rescued corps members during the visit.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the release of the victims on Wednesday.
The abduction had triggered a coordinated search operation by security agencies after the gunmen reportedly demanded a ransom of 50 million naira for each victim, initially putting the total demand at one billion naira before reducing it to five million naira per person.
The Imo State Police Command had earlier said its operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout through drone surveillance but could not immediately access the area after discovering improvised explosive devices had been planted around the camp.
Additional equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, was subsequently deployed to facilitate access to the location.
Police had earlier announced the rescue of 10 of the abducted persons, while operations continued to locate the remaining victims.
With the latest development, all the abducted prospective corps members have now been freed and are receiving medical care in Owerri.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the security agencies for their efforts, describing their operation as a demonstration of cooperation and patriotism.
The governor also acknowledged the joint efforts of the Oyo and Imo State governments in securing the release of the remaining captives.
