The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have reportedly been subjected to physical assault by their captors, including the female victims, as the kidnappers reduced their ransom demand to N5 million per person.
The development has heightened concerns among the victims’ families as the deadline reportedly issued by the abductors for payment of the ransom draws closer.
Alhaja Alimot Akande, whose 25-year-old sister, Kehinde Akande, is among those held captive, said the abducted graduates had allegedly been beaten since Saturday.
Akande described the situation as frightening and overwhelming, appealing to the government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
According to her, the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim but have now reduced the amount to N5 million per person.
“They are still demanding N5 million. They have come down to N5 million each,” she said.
When asked whether the N5 million demand applied to each of the 20 victims, she confirmed that it did.
Akande said she could not determine how much money had already been raised by the affected families because she was not involved in the financial arrangements between the abductors and the other families.
She further disclosed that her sister had informed her that the kidnappers had started assaulting the captives.
“Sir, we appeal to the government to please assist us in getting them rescued out of that place. When I spoke to my sister, they started beating them yesterday,” she said.
According to Akande, all the victims were being subjected to the alleged beatings, including the female prospective corps members.
She also alleged that the kidnappers were monitoring conversations between one of the victims and his father to determine whether the family could raise the demanded ransom.
Despite the situation, Akande said the affected families were relying on assurances from the police while continuing efforts to raise the money.
“The police are telling us to still be buying time. We are still looking for the money. Depending, they will see them rescued,” she said.
The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1, 2026, after gunmen reportedly attacked two buses travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State.
Police authorities earlier said 10 people were rescued at the scene, while the exact number of persons remaining in captivity was being verified. Subsequent reports indicated that 20 prospective corps members were still being held by the abductors.
The abduction has triggered widespread concern among the victims’ families, who have appealed to security agencies and the government to secure their immediate and safe release.
The Inspector-General of Police had deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, alongside additional senior officers and tactical teams, to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation in Imo State.
The families are now hoping that the reduced ransom demand and ongoing security operations will lead to the safe release of the abducted prospective corps members.
