Parents of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members (PCMs) abducted in Imo State were left devastated yesterday as they appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to help secure the release of their children.
The distraught parents visited Ladoja at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, alongside the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
They disclosed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the victims unless a N1 billion ransom was paid within 24 hours.
The development came as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate efforts to rescue the abducted PCMs and other victims.
The 20 graduates were attacked by gunmen last Thursday while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to various NYSC orientation camps. The attack occurred along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
Parents Accuse Transport Company
Some of the victims’ parents accused the transport company that conveyed the graduates from Ibadan of allegedly withholding important passenger information when they approached the firm for assistance.
The parents claimed that when they visited Eduak King Transport Company in Samonda, Ibadan, to obtain information that could help them reach other affected families, the company refused to release the next-of-kin details of passengers on the ill-fated vehicle.
One of the affected mothers, Mrs Iyabo Akande, whose daughter, Kehinde Akande, was among those abducted, urged the Inspector-General of Police and the government to investigate the transport company and ensure that anyone found responsible was held accountable.
She said: “Please, our government and the Inspector-General of Police should help us investigate the transport company, Eduak King, located at Samonda, and put fear into them. Call them to order. “Yesterday morning at their office, we were asking for the next-of-kin list so we could contact other parents, but they refused to present it or assist us. They must be held accountable.”
Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, whose daughter was also abducted, questioned the company’s decision to continue its transport operations despite the incident and the distress suffered by the affected families.
He said the parents were shocked to see the company loading another vehicle when they visited its premises seeking information and assistance.
He said: “We went to Samonda, to Eduak King. Surprisingly, they were already loading another vehicle. People are complaining. The company should be held liable.”
Parents Appeal to Olubadan
At the Olubadan’s residence, Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande, who represented the affected families, said the kidnappers had been contacting them since Friday and demanding N50 million for each victim.
“They have been calling us since yesterday (Friday) with a demand for N50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed their request,” the parents pleaded.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this time. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children.”
The families urged the Olubadan and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to intervene immediately, warning that the abductors’ threats had heightened fears for the safety of their children.
Responding, Oba Ladoja assured the parents that security agencies were making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted graduates alive and safely.
He said: “I want to assure you that your children will be rescued unharmed. We will relay whatever information we gather to you. The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself; the police are up to the task, and nothing will happen to your children.”
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, also said he had remained in constant contact with the Imo State Commissioner of Police since the abduction, expressing optimism that the victims would be rescued safely.
“I had already contacted the Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” he said.
However, the police commissioner did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid by the families or provide specific details of the ongoing rescue operations.
Deployment
Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, in a statement, yesterday, said IGP Disu had deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation.
Iniedu said the DIG arrived in Imo State with two Commissioners of Police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.
He said the DIG also reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and operational assets, and provided further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
The police spokesperson noted that the assessment was conducted alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; as well as other service commanders and members of the Management Team of the Imo State Police Command.
Iniedu added: “The police are working in close coordination with sister security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted persons and the apprehension of the perpetrators. The DIG Operations, DIG Shehu Umar Nadada, assured members of the public that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded.
“He urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant and encouraged anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to promptly contact the police or the nearest security formation. All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality. Further updates will be issued as the operation progresses.”
