Gunmen suspected to be behind the abduction of several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Kogi State have reportedly demanded ₦20 million ransom for each victim still being held captive.
The corps members were said to have been travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their three-week orientation programme when their vehicles were attacked along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to a family member of one of the victims, the abductors have made contact with relatives and communicated their ransom demand.
The source disclosed that one of the kidnapped corps members was returning to Abuja after participating in the NYSC orientation camp in Bayelsa State when she was abducted alongside other passengers.
The family member said the kidnappers were demanding ₦20 million for her release, raising fresh concerns among relatives of those who remain in captivity.
The incident comes after the Kogi State Police Command confirmed that passengers, including serving NYSC members, were abducted during the attack along the route.
Security operatives have, however, recorded progress in rescue operations. The police confirmed that 11 abducted persons, including the drivers of the two vehicles involved in the incident, were rescued during a coordinated operation involving security personnel.
Authorities said efforts were still ongoing to locate and rescue other victims believed to be in the custody of the abductors.
Families of those yet to regain their freedom have appealed to the Federal Government, NYSC authorities and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe release of the remaining corps members and other passengers.
The incident has once again drawn attention to growing concerns over the security of travellers on major highways, particularly young Nigerians travelling across states for national assignments and other official engagements.
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As security agencies continue their operations, families of the victims remain hopeful that those still held by the gunmen will be rescued and reunited with their loved ones.
