Mass Abduction Shocks Nation: 19 NYSC Members Kidnapped En Route Abia Camp

Families have been plunged into widespread panic and distress following the reported abduction of up to 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. The incident occurred as the young graduates were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to an orientation camp in Abia State. Among those appealing for their safe return is Mrs. Alimot Akande, an Ibadan-based woman, whose daughter, Akande Kehinde, a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), is one of the abducted.

The prospective corps members had reportedly departed Ibadan on Wednesday, boarding buses operated by Udua King Transport Services. Their journey included a stopover in Onitsha, Anambra State, around 10 p.m. on Wednesday night. The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, specifically at Ihiala, located between Anambra and Abia States, when their convoy was attacked by suspected armed kidnappers. Mrs. Akande revealed that her daughter managed to send a chilling, concise message that simply read, “kidnappers!”, indicating that the bus had come under attack, marking the last contact she had with her daughter.

The abducted individuals primarily comprise graduates from the University of Ibadan (UI) and LAUTECH. Mrs. Alimot Akande has made a fervent appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Police Force, the NYSC, and other security agencies, urging them to rescue her daughter and the other victims unhurt. Her distress is shared by many other worried parents who were seen besieging the Udua King Transport Services office in Samonda, Ibadan, demanding information and action regarding the efforts to secure the release of their children.

Further details from the transport company indicate that four passenger buses were commissioned for the journey. While two of these buses managed to escape the suspected kidnappers' ambush, two others were forcefully stopped. From these two affected buses, 11 passengers and their drivers reportedly managed to escape, but 15 passengers were abducted. The list of the kidnapped individuals, according to the transport company’s manifest, includes Akande Kehinde, Olaleye Mary, Oladosu Greatness, Obafunsho Rhoda, Abdulrof Anifat, Esther Oyede, Hassan Usman, Ayomide Isa, Mary Makinde, Azeez Adejoke, Abdulrazaq Anifat, Sarah Temilolu, Adeoye Elizabeth, Eniola Samuel, and Usman Temi.

This mass abduction has ignited fresh and serious concerns about the safety of young Nigerians who travel across the country to participate in the mandatory NYSC programme, which is fundamentally established to foster national unity. The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures on major travel routes to protect citizens, especially those fulfilling national service duties.