Families of Kidnapped NYSC Members Face N1 Billion Ransom

On October 3, 2026, families of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who were abducted on October 1, reported that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N1 billion, with N50 million per victim. This alarming update was shared during a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

The families, represented by Alhaja Akande and Oyebola Akande, stated that the kidnappers had contacted them using the victims' mobile phones. The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, confirmed the ransom demand and noted that he had been in contact with his counterpart in Imo State since the attack.

The victims were traveling from Ibadan to their orientation camps when armed men attacked their buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State. Oba Ladoja urged the families to remain calm as efforts to secure the victims' safe return were ongoing.

The police have faced challenges in executing a rescue operation.