BY LAW IBITOYE
The Ondo state Police command has confirmed the release of the five kidnapped National Youth Service Corps members (NYSC) along Ifon -Owo express way on 18 July, 2024.
Confirming the release on Monday afternoon, SP. Funmilayo Odunlami -Omisanya, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said “the command this day on the 22nd of July has found victims of Ose/Ifon area kidnap which occurred on 18th July, 2024.
“The Victims were abandoned by their assailants after the police mounted pressure on the kidnappers .
“Policemen drawn from the Tactical squad led by the Area Commander of Owo, ACP Olufemi Awoyale continuous combing of the Bush with sustained technical support frustrated the assailants and were forced to abandon the victims at Oyinbo/ Sanusi Camp.
“The victims are currently being attended to at the Police Medical Services Owo, and will be handed over to their family members after being debriefed.”
The victims were said to have been left in the bush after collecting #5 million ransom from their parents.
According to parents of the kidnapped victims ” Yesterday we held a meeting at Akure where we agreed to pay #1 million each for the release of our children after we were threatened that the children would be killed if by Monday Morning we did not bring the money . Though we went through hell before we could raise the money but we thank God that our children were released
We appreciate ONDO state government, ONDO state police, sisters agencies, Nigerians for their prayers and financial support during the trying period”
Recall that the kidnappers kidnapped the corps members while returning from Abia State Orientation camp after the three weeks camp on 18 July, 2024 . The kidnappers had earlier demanded #30million and later reduced the ransom to #3million .While one of the parents confirmed that he had gone to Owo to accompany his daughter home.
