NYSC Kidnap: N950 Million Ransom Demand Deepens Families’ Anxiety as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts.

NYSC Kidnap: N950 Million Ransom Demand Deepens Families’ Anxiety as Security Forces Intensify Rescue Efforts.

Families of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State are facing heightened anxiety after their captors reportedly demanded a combined N950 million ransom for the release of 19 graduates.

The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked two commercial buses along the Owerri Onitsha Road around the Umunoha axis of Imo State on October 1, 2026. The buses were operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited.

The company’s Managing Director, Isiah Akpan, told the News  that the abductors demanded N50 million for each of the 19 victims. The reported demand followed direct contacts with some families, intensifying concerns over the safety of the abducted graduates and the financial pressure facing their relatives.

According to reports, the two buses departed Ibadan on Wednesday but were delayed by traffic around Benin, Edo State, before reaching Onitsha, Anambra State. The passengers reportedly spent the night in Oba because of road conditions and resumed their journey early Thursday morning before the attack occurred after entering Imo State.

The security response has produced conflicting figures concerning the number of people rescued and those still missing. The Nigerian Army, through an operational report cited by the News Agency of Nigeria, said troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 10 prospective corps members and were pursuing the abductors to secure the release of the remaining victims.

The Guardian reported, based on information from Defence Headquarters, that 20 people were abducted from the buses and that 10 passengers, including eight prospective corps members, were subsequently rescued. The report said joint search and rescue operations involving the military, police, Department of State Services and other security agencies were continuing.

The Imo State Police Command has also confirmed that two buses were attacked and said tactical teams and operational assets had been deployed. Police spokesperson Henry Okoye said 10 victims were rescued, while the command continued efforts to establish the exact number of people abducted and locate those still missing.

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has since deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, alongside two commissioners of police, to Imo State to strengthen the search-and-rescue operation. The police said additional tactical teams and operational assets had been deployed, supported by intelligence led tracking.

The Oyo State Government has condemned the abduction and said Governor Seyi Makinde directed that necessary resources be deployed towards securing the safe return of the affected corps members. The state government also said it was coordinating with security agencies, the Imo State Government and NYSC leadership.

The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to orientation camps. The National Association of Nigerian Students, Southwest Zone D, has called for the verification of the ransom claims and urged authorities to reconsider compulsory long-distance postings while exploring safer transportation and deployment arrangements.

The latest incident also follows another reported abduction involving 15 NYSC members in Kogi State in August. Those corps members were later rescued in a joint security operation, according to News report.

As security agencies continue their operations in Imo, the reported N950 million ransom remains a demand attributed to the abductors and should not be interpreted as evidence that the amount has been paid. The immediate priority remains establishing the whereabouts of all missing passengers and securing their safe release.