RismadarVoice Reporters
October 2, 2026
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Southwest Zone D, has raised concern over reports that kidnappers are demanding as much as ₦50 million for some prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State.
The association called on security agencies and NYSC authorities to verify the reported ransom demands and establish direct communication with affected families as efforts continue to rescue those still in captivity.
The concern followed Thursday’s attack on two buses conveying prospective corps members and other passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The buses were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, when they were attacked by suspected armed men.
The Imo State Police Command said security agencies recovered both buses and rescued 10 people following the attack.
Police said the rescued victims were safe and receiving attention, while the exact number of people abducted was still being verified.
Security agencies have deployed tactical teams and other operational resources as search-and-rescue efforts continue for those still missing.
In a statement signed by NANS Southwest Zone D Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah; General Secretary, Ojetola Babatunde; and Public Relations Officer, Olugbemi Timothy, the association described the incident as a serious security concern requiring urgent government intervention.
NANS said graduates from institutions in the South-West, including the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, and Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, were among those affected.
The association said it had received reports and seen fundraising appeals suggesting that ransom demands of as much as ₦50 million had been made for individual victims.
The reported ransom figures have not been independently confirmed by the police.
NANS urged security agencies and NYSC authorities to establish the facts and maintain direct communication with the families involved.
The association also called for a review of compulsory long-distance postings under the NYSC scheme, arguing that the deployment system should consider prevailing security conditions.
It proposed state-based or zonal service options where necessary, alongside organised transportation arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps.
NANS also advocated the use of accredited transport operators, designated travel routes, vehicle-tracking systems and closer coordination between the NYSC and security agencies during mobilisation periods.
The association called for greater scrutiny of postings to remote or high-risk communities and stronger emergency-response arrangements for corps members.
According to NANS, its Southwest leadership is reviewing more than 500 complaints from students and graduates relating to the NYSC process.
The complaints reportedly include delayed mobilisation, omissions from Senate and Academic Board lists, JAMB and institutional-record issues, accreditation concerns, registration and call-up difficulties, relocation, transportation, accommodation and conditions at some orientation camps.
NANS said the Imo abduction had added an urgent security dimension to existing concerns about the administration and welfare of prospective corps members.
The association appealed to the Federal Government, Ministry of Youth Development, NYSC management and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of everyone still being held.
It also urged the authorities to provide regular updates to affected families and the public as rescue operations continue.
NANS maintained that the NYSC scheme should evolve in response to Nigeria’s changing security, economic and technological circumstances while preserving its objective of promoting national integration.
The Imo State Police Command said coordinated search-and-rescue operations would continue until the remaining victims were located, while efforts were also underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
