Parents of Abducted Corps Members Beg FG, Makinde for Urgent Rescue

Parents of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling to an orientation camp in Abia State have appealed to the Federal and Oyo State governments to secure their children’s release.

The parents made the appeal on Friday at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, where they expressed anguish over the abduction and raised concerns about a reported ransom demand of ₦50 million per victim.

The prospective corps members were reportedly travelling from Ibadan in a bus that was attacked along the Owerri axis of Imo State after an overnight stop around Onitsha, Anambra State. While some passengers reportedly escaped or were rescued, 19 graduates were taken away by the abductors.

Among the victims are graduates of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, including a set of twins.

One of the affected parents, Mrs Rebecca Adewale, whose 26-year-old son, Paul Iyanuoluwa Adewale, was among the abducted graduates, said the incident had thrown the family into distress after years of sacrifice towards his education.

She appealed to the authorities to intensify rescue operations, expressing concern over the reported ransom demand and the safety of the victims.

Her husband, Omotosho Emmanuel Adewale, said the family became suspicious after repeated calls to their son went unanswered.

He explained that their fears were confirmed when the abducted graduate briefly contacted them and relayed the ransom demand before the call ended.

Another parent, Mrs Iyabo Akande, whose daughter, Kehinde Marufat Akande, was abducted alongside her twin sister, said the family last spoke with her daughter during an overnight stop on the journey.

She disclosed that the abductors later contacted the family, demanding ₦50 million and subsequently requesting additional money.

According to her, the family paid ₦100,000 after receiving financial demands from the kidnappers, hoping to secure the victims’ safety. She added that some parents also contributed money following a request for funds to provide food for the hostages.

An engineer with LAUTECH, Olawale Olaleye, whose daughter was among the victims, described the situation as devastating, saying the ransom demand was beyond the financial capacity of many affected families.

He called on President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and ensure the safe return of the abducted graduates.

Similarly, Bafunsho Olayiwola, a psychiatric healthcare worker at the State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, appealed to Nigerians and the authorities to support efforts to rescue the victims.

The parents also accused the transport company involved in the journey, Eduak King, of failing to cooperate with them after the incident.

They alleged that the company declined to provide passenger next-of-kin information when they visited its Samonda office, making it difficult to reach other affected families.

The parents called for an investigation into the company’s conduct and demanded that it be held accountable where necessary.

Olaleye also expressed concern that the company was reportedly preparing another vehicle for departure despite the incident.

When the transport park was visited, other operators were seen carrying out their usual activities, while the premises of the company involved were locked. No official was available to respond to the allegations.

Addressing the distraught parents, the Executive Assistant to Governor Makinde on Security, retired Commissioner of Police Sunday Odukoya, assured them that the state government was working with relevant security agencies to facilitate the victims’ rescue.

He said the government had established contact with authorities in Imo and Abia states, as well as military and federal intelligence agencies, to coordinate efforts to locate the abducted graduates.

Odukoya urged the parents to remain calm and avoid actions that could interfere with ongoing security operations.

Despite the assurances, the families remain anxious over the fate of their children, calling on the authorities to act swiftly and ensure their safe return.