The families of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have raised fresh concerns over the safety of their loved ones, alleging that the victims are being subjected to severe beatings by their captors.
The victims were kidnapped last Thursday while travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The vehicles conveying the graduates were reportedly attacked by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
According to relatives of the victims, the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each of the 20 prospective corps members, bringing the total ransom to N1 billion, and reportedly issued a 24-hour deadline for payment.
However, the families said the kidnappers had now reduced the demand to N5 million per victim, bringing the total ransom to N100 million.
The relatives further alleged that the abducted victims, including female corps members, were being beaten as the deadline for the payment approached.
The development has heightened anxiety among the families, who have been seeking intervention from government authorities and community leaders for the safe release of their children.
The parents had earlier visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, to seek his intervention.
They were accompanied during the visit by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri.
The abduction has also renewed concerns over the security challenges faced by prospective corps members travelling to distant orientation camps, with calls for stronger measures to protect them during such journeys.
As the families await the safe return of their loved ones, pressure continues to mount on security agencies and relevant authorities to secure their release and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.