Families of the abducted corps members appeal to the Federal Government, NYSC and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those still in captivity.

Kidnappers who abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja have reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦20 million for each victim.

The corps members were kidnapped three days ago while returning to Abuja after completing their mandatory three-week orientation exercise in Bayelsa State.

The incident occurred along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, where gunmen reportedly intercepted vehicles carrying passengers, including NYSC members.

15 NYSC Corps Members Abducted by Gunmen in Kogi While Returning From Bayelsa Camp 

https://dailyobserver.ng/15-nysc-corps-members-abducted-by-gunmen-in-kogi-while-returning-from-bayelsa-camp

The ransom demand has heightened anxiety among the families of the victims, who are desperately waiting for news of their loved ones.

A family member of one of the abducted corps members confirmed that the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded ₦20 million for her release.

“One of our daughters who was kidnapped on her way from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing three weeks orientation camp. The kidnappers are requesting ₦20 million naira,” the family source told reporters.

The demand has placed additional pressure on families already struggling with uncertainty over the safety of their relatives.

The Kogi State Police Command had earlier confirmed the abduction, saying several passengers, including NYSC members, were taken by the attackers along the highway.

The command subsequently announced that 11 of the abducted persons had been rescued during a joint operation involving security personnel.

According to the police, the rescued victims included the drivers of the two vehicles involved in the incident.

However, some of the passengers are still believed to be in the custody of the kidnappers, prompting renewed calls for intensified security operations along the route.

Families of the remaining victims have appealed to the Federal Government, the NYSC and security agencies to urgently step up efforts to secure their release.

They urged the authorities to treat the incident as an emergency and deploy all available resources to locate the kidnappers and bring the victims home safely.

The latest incident has also renewed concerns about the safety of corps members travelling between states, particularly as many young Nigerians are required to move across the country as part of the NYSC programme.

For the affected families, however, the immediate priority is the safe return of their loved ones, with relatives continuing to hope that security agencies will locate the remaining victims before any harm comes to them.

Security agencies have continued efforts to track down the abductors and rescue those still being held, while details surrounding the number and identities of the remaining victims have yet to be fully established.