Families face a reported ₦950 million ransom demand following the abduction of NYSC-bound graduates travelling from Ibadan.
By Avid Reporters
BREAKING: Abductors who seized 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps have reportedly demanded ₦950 million for their release, heightening anxiety among the victims’ families.
The graduates were travelling in two buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors when gunmen attacked the vehicles along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The victims were heading to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the attack occurred.
₦50m demanded for each victim
According to Isiah Akpan, Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, the abductors demanded ₦50 million for each of the affected passengers, translating to a reported total demand of ₦950 million for 19 victims.
Akpan said some of the victims’ families had been contacted by the abductors over the ransom demand.
The development has reportedly intensified concerns among relatives who are awaiting the safe return of their loved ones.
Attack occurred along Owerri-Onitsha Road
The two buses had reportedly departed from the Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday.
The journey was delayed by traffic around Benin, Edo State, before the vehicles eventually reached the Onitsha area of Anambra State.
The passengers and drivers reportedly spent the night before continuing their journey early Thursday morning.
It was during the journey along the Owerri-Onitsha Road that armed men reportedly intercepted the buses around Umunoha.
Police rescue 10 victims
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the attack and said security operatives responded to the incident.
According to the police, both buses were recovered and 10 victims were rescued, while coordinated search-and-rescue operations continued for others who remained unaccounted for.
The police had earlier said the exact number of people abducted was still being verified, underscoring the need to distinguish the reported figure of 19 from the number officially confirmed by security authorities at the time of the initial response.
Security agencies have continued efforts to locate the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
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Families await safe return
The reported ₦950 million ransom demand has added another layer of distress for families already dealing with uncertainty over the whereabouts of their relatives.
The affected graduates were travelling to begin their mandatory national service when the incident occurred.
Security agencies are expected to sustain search-and-rescue operations as efforts continue to secure the safe return of the remaining victims.
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