Emerging reports have it that a group of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who recently completed their orientation camp in Ondo State were abducted while en route to Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, on Tuesday night.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that an eyewitness, whose sister-in-law was among the kidnapped corps members, called into a popular Port Harcourt-based radio station on Wednesday morning to confirm the distressing incident.
According to the eyewitness, the abduction occurred along the Rumuji axis of the East-West Road, located in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Fortunately, five of the kidnapped corps members managed to escape and promptly reported the incident at the Rumuji Divisional Police Station, PM News reports.
This newspaper understands that at present, it remains uncertain how many corps members are still being held captive by the kidnappers, as well as the number of other passengers who were also abducted during the incident.
The Rivers State Police Command has officially acknowledged the abduction of these young individuals.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that some of the kidnapped corps members have been rescued, and intensive efforts are underway to secure the release of those who are still being held captive.
It is worth noting that Dr. Chidi Lloyd, Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, recently declared one Nwodi Onuigwe as a wanted individual, suspected to be the mastermind behind the kidnappings.
On Monday, Lloyd announced a reward of N1 million for anyone who can provide information leading to Onuigwe’s capture, whether dead or alive.
Additionally, Lloyd proclaimed the suspension of salaries for the Emohua Vigilante Service (EMOVIS) until the apprehension of the alleged kingpin and his gang members.
Lloyd accuses them of involvement in illegal oil bunkering, armed robberies, kidnappings, and attacks on security agencies in the area.
