Parents of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members abducted in Imo State have appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to assist in securing the release of their children from their captors.
The distraught parents made the appeal when they visited the monarch 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 parents said the kidnappers had threatened to kill the victims if a ransom of one billion naira was not paid within 24 hours.
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted last Thursday after gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, while they were travelling from Ibadan to various NYSC orientation camps.
The development has heightened concerns among the victims’ families, with some parents accusing the transport company that conveyed the prospective corps members from Ibadan of allegedly withholding vital passenger information.
The parents claimed that officials of Eduak King Transport Company in Samonda, Ibadan, refused to provide the next-of-kin details of passengers aboard the affected vehicle when they visited the company seeking information that could assist in contacting other affected families.
One of the parents, Mrs Iyabo Akande, whose daughter, Kehinde Akande, was among those abducted, called on the Inspector-General of Police and the government to investigate the transport company and sanction anyone found culpable.
Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, whose daughter was also abducted, expressed concern that the transport company continued its operations despite the incident.
Olaleye said the parents were surprised to find the company loading another vehicle when they visited its premises to seek information and assistance.
Responding to the parents’ appeal, Oba Ladoja assured them that security agencies were making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted prospective corps members alive and unhurt.
The Olubadan said, “I want to assure you that your children will be rescued unharmed. We will relay whatever information we gather to you. The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself; the police are up to the task, and nothing will happen to your children.”
Also speaking, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, said he had remained in constant communication with his Imo State counterpart since the abduction occurred.
He expressed confidence that the victims would be rescued safely, saying the Imo State Commissioner of Police had assured him that efforts were ongoing to secure their release.
“I had already contacted the Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” Abimbola said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation for the abducted prospective corps members and other victims.
