Tears of joy flowed in Ibadan, Oyo State, as 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were abducted in Imo State, reunited with their families after seven days in captivity.
According to reports by The Guardian, The PUNCH and TheCable, the victims were handed over to their families on Thursday, October 8, after undergoing debriefing by Department of State Services (DSS) officials.
The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Ten others reportedly escaped during the attack.
Parents expressed overwhelming relief as they embraced their children, with some victims breaking down in tears while recounting their ordeal.
The rescue was attributed to a joint security operation involving the police, DSS and military. However, conflicting accounts have emerged over whether ransom was paid, with some parents alleging payments while the Imo State Commissioner of Police said he was unaware of any ransom.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps across the country.