The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has assured the parents of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State that security agencies are working to rescue their children alive and unharmed.
The monarch gave the assurance when the distraught parents visited his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, on Saturday, seeking his intervention following the abduction of their children.
The graduates were travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Imo State when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road at Umunoha, Imo State, last Thursday.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Alhaja Halima Akande and Oyebola Akande appealed to the Olubadan to use his influence and contacts to secure the release of the victims.
The parents said the abductors had been contacting them since Friday and demanding N50m for each of the 20 victims, amounting to N1bn.
“They have been calling us since yesterday with a demand for N50 million ransom each. They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed their request,” the parents said.
“There is no way we can raise such an amount at this time. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children.”
Responding, Ladoja assured the families that efforts were being made by security agencies to secure the victims’ release.
“I want to assure you that your children will be rescued unharmed. We will relay whatever information we gather to you,” the monarch said.
“The police are working round the clock to secure their rescue. Don’t worry yourself; the police are up to the task, and nothing will happen to your children.”
The meeting was also attended by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Oyebola Adeyeri.
Abimbola said he had remained in contact with the Imo State Commissioner of Police since the incident and expressed confidence that the victims would be rescued safely.
“I had already contacted the Imo State CP. We have been talking since the day of the incident, and he assured me that the victims would be rescued unhurt,” he said.
The commissioner, however, did not disclose whether any ransom had been paid or provide details of the ongoing rescue operation.
The parents also raised concerns about the conduct of Eduak King Transport Company, which conveyed some of the victims from Ibadan.
They alleged that the company refused to provide a list of next of kin when they visited its Samonda office in Ibadan, saying the information could have helped affected families establish contact with one another.
Iyabo Akande, whose daughter, Kehinde Akande, was among those abducted, called for an investigation into the transport company.
“Please, our government and the Inspector-General of Police should help us investigate the transport company, Eduak King, located at Samonda, and put fear into them. Call them to order,” she said.
She alleged that the company had refused to provide the next-of-kin details despite the parents’ request.
Another parent, Olawale Olaleye, said the families were shocked to find the company loading another vehicle when they visited its premises seeking assistance.
“We went to Samonda, to Eduak King. Surprisingly, they were already loading another vehicle. People are complaining. The company should be held liable,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in the state with two commissioners of police and conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and ongoing search-and-rescue operations.
He said the DIG reviewed the operational strategies, deployment of personnel and operational assets before issuing further directives to strengthen the coordinated response.
The assessment was conducted with the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso; the Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Akpan Anifiok; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force; other service commanders and members of the Imo State Police Command management team.
Iniedu said the police were working with sister security agencies to rescue the abducted persons and apprehend their attackers.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to securing the safe rescue of the 20 abducted persons and will sustain the operation until the mission is successfully concluded,” he quoted Nadada as saying.
The police urged members of the public and the media to remain calm and vigilant, while asking anyone with credible information that could assist the operation to contact the police or nearest security formation.
The police said information supplied would be treated confidentially and promised further updates as the operation progresses.
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