The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camps in Abia State have regained their freedom after seven days in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, after gunmen attacked the two buses conveying them from Ibadan to their orientation camps.
The abductors initially demanded N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion, before reportedly reducing the ransom to N5 million per person, totalling N100 million.
The rescued corps members are currently receiving medical treatment at the Department of State Services (DSS) Hospital in Owerri, Imo State.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the facility to meet the victims and assess their condition.
He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the DSS and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Imo State.
Nafiu also addressed the rescued victims during the visit.
The release of the victims was confirmed to The PUNCH on Wednesday by the Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan.
