Kidnappers give families 24 hours to pay N1bn for 20 abducted NYSC prospective corps members
Families of 20 prospective NYSC corps members say kidnappers have set a 24‑hour deadline to pay N1bn for their release. Reports conflict on where the abductions occurred as relatives seek help from local authorities.
Kidnappers have told the families of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to pay a ransom of N1 billion within 24 hours for the students’ release, according to multiple reports.
Accounts agree on the size of the ransom demand, the 24‑hour ultimatum and the number of people taken, but they differ on where the abductions happened. One report says the victims were seized while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps. Another report says the abductions occurred in Imo State.
Families seek help from authorities and traditional ruler
Relatives of the abducted youths have gone public with the ransom demand and are seeking assistance from state and security officials. According to one report, the families appealed to both Oyo State authorities and police to help secure the release of the students. In a separate account, relatives met with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence to brief him on the situation and request his intervention.
What is known and what is unclear
Agreed facts across the reports are that 20 prospective corps members were taken and that kidnappers set a 24‑hour deadline for a N1 billion payment. Disagreement remains over the location of the abduction: one account places the incident during travel from Oyo State, while another places it in Imo State. The reports do not provide information on the identities of the victims, the number of kidnappers, the precise time of the incident, or any response from security agencies.
Why this matters
If confirmed, the abduction of a large group of NYSC prospective corps members highlights continuing security challenges for students travelling to orientation camps and for movement between states. The families’ public appeals indicate they are seeking urgent help from both traditional authorities and law enforcement.
What to watch for next
Authorities’ statements or actions, any confirmation of the abduction location, and updates on negotiations or rescue efforts will be key to clarifying the situation. At the time of the reports, no official comment from security agencies was reported.
(Details in this article are drawn from the media reports cited. Where accounts disagree, the differing claims are noted.)
Sources
This story was written from reports by these outlets. Read the originals:
