The Oyo State Government has disclosed that it is working with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure the safe release of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of Oyo State origin abducted in Imo State.
The state government made this known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan.
Oyelade said the government was maintaining close contact with its Imo State counterpart while also engaging security agencies in both states over the abduction.
According to him, Oyo State was sharing its experience from the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area to support the ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ release.
“Oyo State is volunteering the templates and experiences it garnered during the Oriire kidnapping incident,” Oyelade said, adding that the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the incident was also useful in the discussions with the Imo State Government.
The 20 prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen reportedly attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Imo State. The Imo State Police Command has said 20 people remained in captivity after 10 others were rescued.
The victims’ families have said the abductors demanded N50 million for each person, amounting to N1 billion, and reportedly gave them 24 hours to raise the ransom.
Oyelade said governments did not ordinarily disclose every measure being taken during sensitive security operations, particularly where such information could compromise ongoing efforts.
He added that the focus should remain on the actions being taken by the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the victims’ safe return.
The commissioner also recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde had recently appealed to President Bola Tinubu to expedite action on the 40 Borno students abducted on May 15, the same day pupils and teachers were kidnapped in Oriire, Oyo State.
“The Oyo State Government would continue to work with the Imo State Government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders towards the safe return of the abducted corps members,” Oyelade said.
The latest development comes as security agencies in Imo continue efforts to locate the abducted graduates. The Imo State Police Command said it had identified a suspected kidnappers’ hideout but was exercising caution after receiving intelligence that improvised explosive devices had been planted around the area.
