A yet-to-be confirmed number of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were among those abducted by suspected herders at Enugu-Ezike in the Igbo Eze North local government area of Enugu State.
Recall how gunmen on Thursday, January 9, 2025, abducted about 35 passengers along Enugu-Nsukka Road in the community.
Three buses were attacked, and initially, four Nigerian Army personnel were taken, but one, PTE Usendu Emediong (24NA/87/7560), managed to escape.
However, PTE Usoro Ezekiel Paul (24NA/87/6751), Jeremiah Inimbom Thomas (24NA/87/7937) and PTE Victor Itiat Godwin (24NA/87/8348) were taken away with the other passengers.
“They successfully attacked three 18-seater buses and kidnapped at least 35 people from these buses forcefully. In the course of moving the victims into the bush, one of them managed to escape. It was when he came out that he narrated how they were kidnapped and we got to know he is a soldier,” a source had said.
“Yesterday, local hunters, about three of them from my village on their usual routine encountered the kidnappers in the bush but had to hide. They heard one of victims complaining that he couldn’t continue walking as he was tired but guess what? He was shot dead.
“Hours after, both the local hunters and the military operatives entered the bush and saw the dead body which was later taken to the morgue,” he said.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the source said two of victims were set free after paying a ransom.
He also confirmed that some NYSC members were among those abducted and still in captivity.
“Well, apart from the soldiers, some NYSC members were among the victims. The kidnappers had contacted family members of all the victims.
“However, since your report on Sunday, rescue operations have intensified. A soldier told me the army saw the report as an embarrassment to the military.
“Now, we have soldiers, police and others everywhere. They are even making use of helicopter to search for them.
“As at yesterday, two victims were released after paying an undisclosed amount while the others including the soldiers and corps members are still in captivity,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the family of one of the kidnapped corps members identified as Abasifreke Victor Joseph said her abductors have threatened to kill her if they fail to pay a ransom of N20 million.
The media learnt that Abasifreke was en route to her NYSC duty in Kogi State.
A family source said, “Yes, she’s Abasifreke Victor Joseph from Akwa Ibom state. She was among those kidnapped along Enugu Road.
“She boarded a vehicle that was heading to Enugu State at Nasarawa Road, Uyo, since there was no direct vehicle from Akwa Ibom State to Kogi State on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
“Her sister was communicating with her throughout the journey till 2 pm when she (sister) called again and her number failed to connect.
“The kidnappers called the parents on Friday, January 10, 2025 at about 1:46 pm and demanded a ransom of N20 million or she would be killed.”