A joint operation by security agencies has rescued 11 of 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by heavily armed gunmen along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The corps members were traveling from Bayelsa State to Abuja following the successful completion of their mandatory three-week orientation camp exercise when their vehicles were intercepted.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the abduction and the subsequent rescue operation, noting that security forces intercepted the armed group and rescued 11 individuals, including the commercial drivers of the two vehicles involved.
Kidnappers demand ₦20 million ransom per victim
Despite the partial rescue, family members of the corps members remaining in captivity revealed that the kidnappers have established contact, demanding a ransom of ₦20 million for each victim.
A relative of one of the abducted corps members confirmed the high-value ransom demand to newsmen, expressing anguish over the situation.
“One of our daughters was kidnapped on her way from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing the three-week orientation camp. The kidnappers are requesting N20 million,” the family source stated.
Families appeal for urgent intervention
With several corps members still being held in forest enclaves, distraught families have appealed to the Federal Government, the NYSC management, and law enforcement agencies to intensify tactical search and rescue operations to secure the safe release of the remaining victims.
Police authorities assured the public that search parties comprising military personnel, police tactical units, and local vigilantes remain deployed across the terrain to track down the fleeing bandits and recover the unrescued corps members.
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