RELEASE OF CORP MEMBERS, MAJOR RELIEF
Moment the 20 NYSC corps members who were kidnapped while travelling from Oyo to Abia State all walked out of a forest in Amakohia Ubi-Ndegwu, Owerri, Imo State. The kidnappers initially demanded ₦1 billion but later reduced the ransom to ₦100 million
Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abduct£d in Imo State have regained their freedom after spending seven days in captivity.
The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were abduct£d along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State on October 1, 2026.
The victims were reportedly travelling in two buses when gunmen intercepted them around the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
Their abduct!on triggered a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.
Police later located the suspected k!dnappers’ camp through intelligence and drone surveillance but said the area was believed to have been planted with improvised explosive devices, delaying efforts to reach the victims.
Families of the abduct£d corps members had earlier reported receiving ransom demands, with one report putting the initial demand at ₦50 million per victim. However, authorities have not publicly confirmed that any ransom was paid for their release.
The victims were eventually rescued at about 4:28pm on Wednesday at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State following sustained search-and-rescue operations. Another hostage was also rescued alongside the 20 prospective corps members.
Following their release, the victims were taken to the DSS Hospital in Owerri for medical examination and necessary medical attention.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the victims at the facility, accompanied by senior security officials, including the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the DSS Director and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.
May God rescue Nigeria 🇳🇬
