The affected families disclosed the demand on Saturday when they visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, alongside the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
The 20 prospective corps members were reportedly travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
According to the affected families, the kidnappers have been contacting them through the mobile phones of some of the abducted prospective corps members and demanding ₦50 million for each victim, bringing the total ransom demand to ₦1 billion.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande said the abductors had been threatening to harm the victims if the ransom was not paid.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50m ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed to their request,” the families said.
They appealed to Oba Ladoja and the police authorities to intervene urgently and ensure the safe release of the victims.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this period. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children,” the parents pleaded.
The Olubadan assured the distressed families that efforts were underway to secure the safe release of the victims.
“I want to assure that your children would be rescued unharmed. We will relate whatever information we gather to you. The Police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself, police are up to the task, and nothing would happen to your children,” Ladoja said.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also confirmed that he had been in contact with his counterpart in Imo State over the incident.
“I had already contacted Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” Abimbola said.
The commissioner, however, did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid or provide specific details about the ongoing rescue operation.
Meanwhile, security agencies in Imo State have intensified efforts to locate and rescue the abducted prospective corps members.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said security operatives had located the suspected camp where the remaining victims were being held through the use of drones.
According to him, however, the planned operation had been delayed after intelligence indicated that improvised explosive devices had reportedly been planted around the suspected camp.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has also deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation.
The incident has sparked concern among the families of the abducted prospective corps members, as security agencies continue efforts to secure their safe release.
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