Kidnappers holding 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State have slashed their ransom demand from a staggering N1bn to N100m — but the reduction has failed to calm the panic as the captives are allegedly being beaten in the bush.
The PUNCH, from which Orijoreporter obtained the report, gathered that the abductors reduced the ransom from N50m to N5m for each of the 20 victims.
The development came amid fresh anguish among the victims’ families, with relatives alleging that the young graduates have been subjected to physical assault by their captors.
One of the parents, Alhaja Alimot Akande, said the kidnappers had started beating the victims since Friday, prompting families to intensify calls for government intervention.
Akande, who spoke through one of her daughters in Ibadan, Oyo State, said the reduction in the ransom had brought little relief because the graduates remained in captivity.
“The kidnappers had reduced their demand from the earlier N50m per victim to N5m each,” she said.
“They are still demanding N5m. They have come down to N5m each.”
The victims were travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states on Thursday when gunmen reportedly attacked the two buses around Umunoha on the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
Among the names released by the families are Makinde Mary Oluwapelumi, Akande Kehinde Morufat, Abdul Temiloluwa Sarah, Adeniran Mariam Olulola, Adefioye Ayomide Isaac, Adewale Paul Iyanuoluwa and Oyede Esther Funmilayo.
The parents released the names during a visit to the private residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, in Bodija, Ibadan North Local Government Area, on Saturday.
The families also disputed earlier claims that 10 passengers were rescued by security operatives after the attack.
According to them, those who escaped the kidnappers did so by running into the bush rather than being rescued by security personnel.
Akande said she could not disclose how much money had been raised so far, explaining that she was not involved in the financial arrangements between the various families and the abductors.
“I cannot say because I do not know how much they have told those people that they have,” she said.
But the parent said the situation had become more frightening after reports emerged that the abductors were assaulting the victims.
“Sir, we appeal to the government at all levels to please assist us in getting them rescued out of that place. They have started beating them since yesterday,” she pleaded.
When asked whether the female victims were spared, Akande said the kidnappers were allegedly beating everyone in captivity.
“They are not sparing anybody. They are beating all of them,” she said.
She further disclosed that one of the captives had been allowed to speak with his father, but alleged that the kidnappers were monitoring the calls as a way of gauging the family’s ability to raise the ransom.
According to her, the abductors would alert the victim whenever his father called and allow him to answer because they believed the family could provide the money.
She said the victim was nevertheless being beaten alongside the others.
The affected families are now relying on assurances from security agencies while scrambling to raise the ransom.
Akande said the police had urged them to remain patient while efforts continued to secure the victims’ release.
“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.
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