Corps Member May Stay Longer In Captivity
OpenLife News reports that prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State may stay longer in captivity as security agencies have delayed storming the kidnappers’ camp after intelligence showed it has been mined with high-calibre Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, disclosed on Saturday that operatives located the suspected camp where the victims are held but could not immediately advance because of the IED threat.
He said personnel trailed the kidnappers into the bush and deployed drones on Friday which pinpointed the location.“Any moment, we’ll still move into the bush. Yesterday, we were in the bush, we trailed them up to a particular location.
“But at that point in time, we couldn’t move in to where the coordinate showed us they are because we ran drones yesterday. And the drone actually showed us exactly their location. But our predicament is that with the intel we have, the camp is mined with IEDs,” Bosso said.
He said security agencies are now preparing to move in with bulldozers and Armoured Personnel Carriers to avoid casualties.“We are moving in there with high-velocity vehicles, that is, bulldozers. We’re moving in with bulldozers and APCs to see how we’re going to rescue these victims unhurt,” he added.
Police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said operatives are “closing in on the kidnappers” and have been briefed on how to proceed.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had deployed the DIG Operations, Shehu Nadada, and two Commissioners of Police to Imo to strengthen the rescue. Nadada arrived Friday and reviewed personnel and operational assets.
The victims were travelling in two buses belonging to Uko Akwa Ibom Motors from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom when gunmen attacked along Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha on Thursday.
Conflicting Figures, Parents Puncture Rescue Claim
Parents of the abductees have disputed police claim that 10 passengers were rescued.
Speaking during a visit to Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence, parents through Alhaja Alimot Akande and Oyebola Akande said 30 passengers were in the buses, 10 escaped into bush, while 20 were taken.
They said the 10 earlier reported as rescued actually escaped on their own.
Alhaja Akande said families learnt of attack via social media from an escapee, but management of the transport company at Samonda, Ibadan, refused to release the manifest and the drivers.
“After persistent pressure, they brought out a paper, but we discovered the names of some of the affected corps members were not on their list. When we inquired further, the response was that the majority of them refused to put their names on the paper,” she said.
Imo Police had said two buses were recovered and 10 victims safe. Defence Headquarters later said 20 abducted and 10 rescued, including eight prospective corps members. The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors, Isiah Akpan, earlier said 19 were abducted.
N1bn Ransom Deadline Expires Today
Anxiety heightened as kidnappers issued 24-hour ultimatum demanding N50m per victim. For 20 victims, that amounts to N1bn, expiring Sunday.“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50m ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail,” Akande said.
One mother who spoke to Sunday PUNCH anonymously said she is on a prayer mountain while family runs helter-skelter for ransom.“I’m currently on a prayer mountain, praying for his release, while the family has been running helter-skelter to raise the money,” she said.
The two buses left Bodija/Samonda Park Wednesday, delayed by traffic around Benin, Edo State, slept around Onitsha, and resumed 5am Thursday before gunmen blocked them in Imo. Drivers escaped and alerted checkpoint.
A former Imo House of Assembly member who pleaded anonymity told OpenLife Sunday afternoon that : “I really pity the victims. The bandits are demanding N1 billion ransom and they gave timeline which expires today.
“What happens if the ransom is not paid? Will the bandits begin to do unimaginable things against the innocent victims? May God show mercy.”
Olubadan Ladoja assured parents: “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.”
Oyo Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, said he has been in touch with Imo counterpart who assured victims would be rescued unhurt.
Oyo Government said Governor Seyi Makinde directed resources to support rescue and is liaising with Imo Government, security agencies and NYSC leadership.
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