The Oyo State Government says it is working with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure the safe release of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State.
The state government made this known on Sunday in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan.
Oyelade said the government had maintained direct communication with its Imo counterpart while also engaging security authorities in both states as efforts continue to locate and rescue the victims.
He said Oyo State was also drawing from its previous experience in handling kidnapping incidents, particularly the abduction in Oriire Local Government Area.
“Oyo State is volunteering the templates and experiences it garnered during the Oriire kidnapping incident,” Oyelade said.
He added that “the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction, submitted last week by the Hon. Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade-led panel, is also useful in the ongoing bilateral discussions.”
The 20 prospective corps members, all from Oyo State, were travelling from Ibadan to their respective NYSC orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.
The abductors reportedly demanded N50m for each of the victims, bringing the total ransom demand to N1bn.
The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, had confirmed the ransom demand to PUNCH Online on Friday.
Oyelade explained that the state government would not necessarily disclose every step being taken during a sensitive security operation, noting that releasing certain information publicly could interfere with ongoing efforts to rescue the victims.
He also said attention should be directed towards the Federal Government, given its constitutional responsibility for national security.
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“The focus should indeed be on the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who are responsible for national security, particularly on the actions taken within the first 72 hours of the incident.”
The commissioner also recalled Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent appeal to President Bola Tinubu to accelerate efforts to rescue 40 students from Borno State who were abducted on May 15.
The incident occurred on the same day that students and teachers of Esinele and Yawota communities in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area were abducted.
Oyelade assured that the state government would continue coordinating with the Imo State Government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders until efforts to secure the victims’ safe return are concluded.
“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,” he added.