Families given 24 hours to raise N1bn for abducted NYSC candidates

Families of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members from Oyo State say kidnappers have demanded N1bn for the victims’ release and issued a 24-hour deadline. The graduates were abducted while travelling to their orientation camps, according to Punch Nigeria’s roundup. The incident has also prompted a security response in Imo State.

Police said they had located the suspected abductors’ camp, but had not raided the site because intelligence indicated that it might have been mined with improvised explosive devices. The reported presence of explosives has delayed the operation as authorities consider how to approach the camp. The source material does not provide details of any rescue attempt, arrests or whether negotiations with the kidnappers had begun.

The victims’ families are consequently facing a ransom demand while the police assess the risks associated with entering the suspected location. The reported deadline places additional pressure on relatives seeking the release of the 20 prospective corps members. The abduction was the main development highlighted in Punch Nigeria’s evening roundup.

The publication separately reported criticism by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over comments about the death of Amaechi’s mother. Punch also reported that Labour Party youth leaders had proposed consultations with the All Progressives Congress and groups supporting President Bola Tinubu over a possible alignment before the 2027 presidential election. The proposal, it said, remained subject to further consultations and consensus.

In another item, BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu was reported to have visited Tinubu with his son, Khalifa, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary. Rabiu shared photographs of the visit on X and wished Nigerians peace, unity and progress.