Kidnappers have demanded N20 million ransom for each of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, according to reports.
The corps members were travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their mandatory three-week orientation programme when gunmen reportedly attacked their vehicles on Wednesday.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of corps members travelling between NYSC orientation camps and their places of primary assignment.
According to a family member of one of the abducted corps members who spoke to Daily Trust, the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded N20 million for the victim’s release.
«“One of our daughters who was kidnapped on her way from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing three weeks orientation camp. The kidnappers are requesting N20 million naira,” the family source said.»
11 victims rescued
The abduction occurred around 4:40 p.m. near Ogene Zaria, close to the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction, when armed men reportedly emerged from the bush and blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions.
The Kogi State Police Command said a joint security team immediately launched a rescue operation after receiving a distress call.
According to the police, 11 abducted persons, including the drivers of the two vehicles, were rescued during the operation. Preliminary debriefing indicated that most of those rescued were NYSC members travelling from Bayelsa to Abuja.
The police said the rescued victims were debriefed and subsequently allowed to continue their journey after the necessary procedures.
However, the command said efforts were still ongoing to locate and rescue other victims believed to remain in captivity.
Families seek urgent intervention
The development has left families of the remaining victims deeply worried, with relatives taking to social media to appeal to the Federal Government, NYSC and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their safe release.
One relative, who said her sister was among the abducted corps members, alleged that the driver of their vehicle was killed during the attack while the corps members were taken into the bush.
She appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene urgently.
Another relative also claimed that his sister was among the victims and called on the NYSC and security agencies to ensure that the abducted corps members were rescued safely.
Number of victims remains unclear
While some reports have put the number of abducted corps members at 15, the Kogi Police Command has not officially confirmed the exact number of NYSC members still in captivity.
The police have confirmed that several passengers were abducted and that 11 people were rescued, but the exact number of victims who remain with the kidnappers is yet to be established publicly.
Similarly, the N20 million ransom demand has been reported by families of victims but has not been independently confirmed by the police.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over highway kidnappings in parts of Nigeria, particularly attacks targeting travellers and young Nigerians returning from mandatory NYSC activities.
For now, families of the abducted corps members are calling for urgent action to secure their loved ones’ safe release as security agencies continue efforts to locate those still in captivity.SEO title: Kidnappers Demand N20m Ransom for Abducted NYSC Members in Kogi
Suggested meta description: Kidnappers have reportedly demanded N20 million ransom for each abducted NYSC member travelling from Bayelsa to Abuja after their orientation exercise in Kogi State.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.