By: Akeem Adeyemi.
Prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members rescued from kidnappers in Imo State have reunited with their families in Ibadan, Oyo State, after seven days in captivity.
The youths were released to their families by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the agency’s Oyo State headquarters in Aleshinloye at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Their parents and relatives had waited for approximately three hours at the DSS office, where the rescued graduates were debriefed after arriving in Ibadan.
Before the reunion, a DSS operative reportedly cautioned the waiting families against taking photographs or recording videos. The instruction made some parents reluctant to speak to journalists after receiving their children.
However, the reunion was marked by emotional scenes as parents embraced their children, with some shedding tears of joy while others held their children’s hands as they escorted them into waiting vehicles.
The graduates had departed Ibadan on October 1 for orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states but were reportedly ambushed by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
They were rescued on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi village in Imo State during a joint operation involving the DSS, police and other security agencies.
Their abduction had sparked widespread anxiety across Oyo State, with distressed parents reportedly seeking the intervention of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and top government officials.
Speaking after her release, one of the rescued graduates, Akande Morenikeji, described the experience as mentally and physically exhausting.
“Ah, it was stressful, too,” she said, dismissing reports that all the captives had been restrained with heavy chains.
Morenikeji also clarified that the female captives were not subjected to sexual harassment.
“No, we were not chained; the guys, yes, the guys mostly. But as for us, the girls, they did not do any sexual harassment to us. They did not do anything sexual to us,” she said.
The abduction had also raised concerns over reports of ransom demands allegedly reaching N1 billion during negotiations for the victims’ release.
However, a parent identified as Mrs Akande expressed relief at their safe return, saying the news had restored her peace after days of uncertainty.
“It is good news! Good news! Good news!” she exclaimed, adding that she had finally been able to sleep soundly after learning of their release.
She also insisted that the families did not pay ransom to secure the youths’ freedom.
“Ah, no ransom! Alhamdulillahi, we didn’t pay any ransom,” she said.
Another parent, Faith Felicia Abiala, described the emotional distress the incident caused families, saying she was devastated when she learnt that her daughter had been abducted.
“I cannot recount all the tears and sorrow, but I give thanks to God that I am seeing her alive today. On the day she was taken, I was so devastated I couldn’t even eat, but today my heart is filled with joy,” she said.
Abiala commended the security agencies involved in the rescue operation, particularly their teams in Oyo and Imo states, for supporting the families until the victims were brought to safety.
She also called on the government to improve security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to their orientation camps across the country.
“My advice to the government is that when corps members are posted to their service states, they should ensure proper security arrangements—or allow them to travel by air to avoid these kinds of dangerous road journeys,” she said.
The rescued graduates have undergone medical evaluations in Owerri and Ibadan, while security operatives continue efforts to track down those responsible for the abduction.
