20 kidnapped prospective corps members regain freedom in Imo

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to orientation camps in Abia State have regained their freedom after seven days in captivity.

According to The PUNCH, the graduates were travelling from Ibadan on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

The kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim, totalling N1 billion, before reportedly reducing the demand to N5 million per person.

Following their release, the victims were taken to the Department of State Services Hospital in Owerri for medical treatment.

NYSC Director-General Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu visited the victims alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police, DSS Director and Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, also confirmed their release to The PUNCH on Wednesday.