Kidnappers reduce ransom to N5m, tortures 20 NYSC members for quick response to demands

The abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC are being tortured by their abductors in captivity, even as they have reduced ransom demands to N5 million per person.

It was recalled that 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members were abducted by the kidnappers on Onitsha-Owerri road while travelling to Imo State on October 1, 2026, including female members and other passengers.

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Anxiety rose among families of Corps members as deadline issued by the gunmen approaches amid security agents working behind the scene to rescue abductees.

A family of one of the victims who identified herself as Alhaja Alimot Akande who is an elder sister to a 25 year old victim known as Kehinde Akande, said, gunmen began physical assault on victims since Saturday.

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Akande appealed for government’s quick intervention, described the situation as “horrible, scary and overwhelming.”

Akande said the kidnappers had reduced their initial demand from N50 million per victim to N5 million each.

“They are still demanding N5 million. They have come down to N5 million each,” she said.

Asked whether the N5 million was being demanded for each of the 20 victims, she replied: “Yes.”

She said she could not confirm how much had been raised towards the ransom, explaining that she was not privy to arrangements between the abductors and other families.

“I cannot say because I do not know how much they have told those people that they have,” she said.

According to Akande, her sister told her that the abductors had started beating the victims.

“Sir, we appeal to the government to please assist us in getting them rescued out of that place. When I spoke to my sister, they started beating them since yesterday,” she said.

Asked whether the female victims were also being assaulted, she said: “They are not sparing anybody. They are beating all of them.”

Akande also said one of the abducted corps members had been allowed to communicate with his father, alleging that the kidnappers monitored the calls as part of their efforts to assess the family’s ability to raise the ransom.

She said the abductors would alert the victim whenever his father called and allow him to speak to him.

She added that the families had been relying on assurances from the police while efforts continued to raise the ransom.

“The police are telling us to still be buying time. We are still looking for the money. Depending, they will see them rescued,” she said.

Akande confirmed that her family was directly affected by the incident, identifying her abducted sister as Kehinde.

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