Kidnappers holding 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members in Imo State have reportedly reduced their ransom demand from N1 billion to N100 million.
The development came as the victims’ Families disclosed that the abducted graduates were being beaten by their captors, heightening fears over their safety and prompting renewed calls for urgent government intervention
Recall that the victims were abducted on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states along Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
Relatives said kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim but have now reduced ransom to N5 million per person.
However, families remain concerned about safety of abducted prospective corps members and are seeking their immediate release.
Imo State Police Command said security operatives had located suspected kidnappers’ camp through intelligence and drone surveillance but were cautious about moving in because area was reportedly suspected to contain improvised explosive devices.
Additional tactical assets have been deployed for rescue operation.
