By Mardiyyah Abubakar
The Imo State Police Command says it is unaware of any ransom payment for the release of 20 abducted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and another victim.
Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, said security agencies pressured the kidnappers during a coordinated search operation, forcing them to release the victims.
Bosso spoke on Thursday during an interview on a National Television.
He said the freed victims were receiving attention at the Department of State Services (DSS) office.
The victims were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
Following the abduction, security agencies launched a joint search-and-rescue operation.
The police had earlier located the kidnappers’ camp through drone surveillance but could not immediately access it after discovering that the area was reportedly mined with improvised explosive devices.
The police later deployed additional operational assets as the search intensified.
Reports had indicated that the kidnappers demanded ₦50 million for each victim.
Police earlier confirmed the rescue of 10 victims while security agencies continued efforts to locate the remaining abductees.
The remaining victims were eventually released from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area on Wednesday.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the security agencies and the governments of Imo and Oyo states for their collaborative efforts in securing the victims’ release.
