By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
Security forces have rescued 10 of the 15 National Youth Service Corps members abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kogi State last Friday, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed.
The corps members were freed on Monday during a raid on Egume Forest in Ofu Local Government Area, according to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja.
Onoja disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the DHQ in Abuja.
He said the victims were abducted while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State after completing their orientation camp.
“An operation is still ongoing to rescue the remaining five victims and apprehend the kidnappers,” the Defence spokesman stated.
Sources close to the families said the abductors had demanded N20 million in ransom for the release of some of the corps members.
Gen. Onoja urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to provide timely information that could aid security agencies in rescuing the remaining victims and arresting the perpetrators.
The abduction has sparked fresh concerns over the safety of corps members travelling across highways in the North-Central region.
The NYSC management is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
