Oyo, Imo authorities coordinate effort to free 20 abducted corps members

The Oyo State Government says it is working with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure the safe release of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State. The victims, who are from Oyo State, were travelling from Ibadan to their orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses on the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, according to Punch Online. Oyo Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade said the state was maintaining direct contact with Imo authorities and engaging security agencies in both states.

He said Oyo was also sharing experience from the Oriire kidnapping incident. Oyelade said the report of a judicial commission of inquiry into that incident, submitted the previous week, was being used in the bilateral discussions. The panel was led by Justice Mojeed Owoade.

Reports said the abductors demanded N50m for each victim, amounting to N1bn. The demand was attributed to information confirmed by Isiah Akpan, managing director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited. Oyelade said governments did not normally disclose every measure being taken during sensitive security operations because public details could compromise them.

He said attention should also be directed to the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu over national security responsibilities, particularly during the first 72 hours after an incident. The commissioner said Governor Seyi Makinde had previously appealed to Tinubu to accelerate action over 40 Borno students abducted on May 15, the same day students and teachers were abducted in Oyo’s Oriire Local Government Area. Oyo said it would continue working with all relevant parties until the corps members return safely.