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NYSC Members Among 35 Abducted Passengers in Enugu, Ransom Demanded from Families

Published by Tope Fakinlede on January 15th, 2025.

NYSC Members Among 35 Abducted Passengers in Enugu, Ransom Demanded from Families

Several members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were reportedly among the 35 people kidnapped by suspected Fulani herders in the Enugu-Ezike area, located within Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, gunmen attacked three buses along the Enugu-Nsukka Road and abducted passengers. Initially, four Nigerian Army personnel were seized, but one, identified as PTE Usendu Emediong, managed to escape. However, PTE Usoro Ezekiel Paul, Jeremiah Inimbom Thomas, and PTE Victor Itiat Godwin, along with the other passengers, were taken.

According to a source, the gunmen successfully intercepted the buses, kidnapping the passengers as they moved them into the forest. During the transfer, one of the victims, a soldier, managed to escape and inform authorities about the incident.

Locals reported that some hunters encountered the kidnappers in the forest but were forced to hide. They overheard a victim complaining of exhaustion, and tragically, he was shot. Later, military personnel found the body and took it for burial.

In a recent update, it was confirmed that some NYSC members were among the kidnapped. The families of the victims, including the NYSC members, were contacted by the kidnappers, who demanded ransom payments. The authorities have since ramped up rescue efforts, with the military using helicopters and intensifying searches in the area.

A source revealed that two victims were released after paying an undisclosed ransom. However, the remaining captives, including the soldiers and NYSC members, remain in captivity.

One of the kidnapped corps members, Abasifreke Victor Joseph, is being held for a ransom of N20 million. Abasifreke, from Akwa Ibom State, was traveling to her NYSC assignment in Kogi State when she was abducted. Her family received a call from the kidnappers on Friday, January 10, 2025, demanding the ransom or threatening to kill her.