IBADAN — The Oyo State Government says it is working with security agencies, the Imo State Government and the National Youth Service Corps to secure the release of corps members abducted while traveling to orientation camps in southeastern Nigeria.
The victims from Oyo State were among 19 corps members travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen reportedly attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation Dotun Oyelade said Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that necessary resources be deployed to support efforts to secure their release.
The state government condemned the attack and said it was maintaining communication with security authorities and NYSC officials.
Oyelade said protecting Oyo State indigenes remained a priority whether they were within the state or elsewhere in the country.
The two buses reportedly departed from the Bodija Samonda area of Ibadan but encountered delays during the journey.
They eventually spent the night in Anambra State after road conditions prevented them from continuing.
The attack reportedly occurred after they resumed their journey at about 5 am the following morning.
Reports indicated that kidnappers had contacted some families and demanded ransom, with figures of as much as N50 million for each victim being reported.
Xposure News has not independently established the exact ransom demands.
The Imo State Police Command earlier announced that 10 people had been rescued.
Police spokesman Henry Okoye, however, was unable at the time to establish whether all those rescued were members of the abducted NYSC group.
The uncertainty has increased anxiety among families waiting for information about their relatives.
Oyelade appealed for calm while assuring families that the Oyo State Government remained engaged with relevant authorities.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to locate the remaining victims, secure their release and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
The abduction again raises concerns about the security of young Nigerians traveling long distances to fulfill compulsory national service obligations.
