By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
TWENTY PROSPECTIVE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another abducted passenger have regained their freedom after seven days in captivity in Imo State, with the victims now receiving medical attention at the Department of State Services Hospital (DSSH) in Owerri.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the victims were rescued from the Amakohia Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area following a coordinated operation by security agencies.
The rescued prospective corps members had been travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on October 1.
The victims were subsequently taken to the DSS Hospital in Owerri, where they are undergoing medical treatment and necessary medical checks.
NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the facility and addressed the rescued victims.
Nafiu was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Imo State.
As of the time of filling this report, the circumstances surrounding the rescue remained unclear, with authorities yet to disclose whether any ransom was paid or suspects arrested.
Also, a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, notes that the police said efforts were continuing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the abduction, as the Police and other security agencies sustain coordinated operations towards bringing all culpable persons to justice,” the statement said.
Moreover, the rescue followed days of coordinated search and rescue operations by security agencies after the victims were abducted along the Owerri Onitsha Road.
The Imo State Police Command had earlier announced that its operatives located the kidnappers’ camp through drone surveillance.
However, the security team could not immediately gain access to the location after discovering that the area had reportedly been planted with improvised explosive devices.
Security agencies subsequently deployed additional operational equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, as efforts intensified to reach the victims.
The abduction also caused anxiety among the victims’ families, particularly following reports that the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each captive.
Earlier, the ransom reportedly amounted to N1 billion for the 20 prospective corps members before the abductors later reduced the demand to N5 million per person, bringing the reported total to N100 million.
Police had earlier confirmed the rescue of 10 victims while the search continued for those still in captivity.
The latest operation has now secured the freedom of the remaining 20 prospective corps members and the additional abducted victim, all of whom are receiving medical care in Owerri.
Meanwhil, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the security agencies for what he described as their quick intervention in securing the release of the corps members.
In a statement he personally signed, Uzodimma said he was particularly pleased with the collaboration and patriotism displayed by the security agencies in ensuring that the victims were rescued unharmed.
The governor also expressed satisfaction with the joint efforts of the Oyo and Imo State governments in securing the release of the captives.
He explained that the government had deliberately avoided releasing too much information because the matter involved the security of lives, resulting in the discreet manner in which the operation was handled.
Uzodimma praised the security agencies for the discreet and collaborative approach adopted in tackling the abduction and also commended the victims’ parents for their patience during the ordeal.
He also urged Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Federal Government as efforts continue to address security challenges in the country.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, also confirmed the release of the victims to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
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