The Ondo State Police Command announced on Monday that they have successfully rescued several travelers, including five members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who had been kidnapped along the Benin-Owo Expressway.
The victims were initially abducted late Thursday night at Omi Alafa Village in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area. Reports indicate that around 15 armed kidnappers intercepted their Sienna bus, forcing the passengers into a nearby forest.
The five corps members—Oluwaseun Adewole, Feranmi Oluwadara, Patience Andrew, Taiwo Oribamise, and Lekan Ajayi—were traveling from Enugu State after completing their mandatory NYSC orientation camp. Tragically, the driver of the bus and one other passenger were shot dead during the abduction.
The kidnappers initially contacted the families of the victims, demanding a ransom of N1 million for each individual and threatening to execute them if their demands were not met by the weekend.
However, the police’s swift response and relentless efforts led to the rescue of the hostages. According to Police Public Relations Officer Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, officers from the tactical squad, under the leadership of Area Commander ACP Olufemi Awoyale, intensively combed the area. Their efforts pressured the abductors, who eventually abandoned the victims at the Oyinbo/Sanusi Camp.
The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical attention at the Police Medical Services in Owo and will be reunited with their families following debriefing.
