Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camp in Abia State have regained their freedom.
The graduates were kidnapped on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, and were rescued seven days later following a coordinated operation by security agencies.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying the victims were rescued at about 4:28pm at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.
Iniedu said the rescued graduates had been taken for medical examinations and would receive necessary medical attention as part of the post-rescue process.
The operation reportedly involved the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies.
However, the authorities did not disclose details of the operation or announce any arrest, while the suspected abductors were said to remain at large.
Iniedu said security agencies had intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the abduction and bring them to justice.
The police spokesperson also thanked members of the public for their cooperation and assured Nigerians of the force’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, also confirmed the release of the victims, saying Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, informed him of the development during a telephone conversation on Wednesday.
A parent of one of the victims, Alhaja Alimot Akande, expressed relief over the news but said the family was waiting to see or speak with the victim before making further comments.
Meanwhile, Uzodimma commended the security agencies for securing the release of the prospective corps members.
The governor said the government deliberately kept details of the operation confidential to avoid compromising the rescue effort and ongoing investigation.
He also thanked the families of the victims for their patience and understanding throughout the ordeal, assuring residents that his administration would continue to support measures aimed at protecting lives and property.
The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress also praised the security agencies for the successful operation and expressed solidarity with the families of the rescued graduates.
The victims were among 30 graduates travelling in two buses from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camp in Abia State when suspected gunmen reportedly intercepted them.
The abductors had initially demanded N50m for each victim, amounting to N1bn, before reportedly reducing the ransom to N5m per person.
The victims’ families had subsequently appealed to traditional leaders and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release.