The 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have reunited with their families in Ibadan, Oyo State, following their release from captivity.
The victims arrived in Ibadan on Thursday and were reunited with their relatives after more than three hours of engagement with officials of the Department of State Services.
Investigations showed that some parents and the rescued prospective corps members were granted access to the DSS office, while others waited outside.
One of the parents, Mrs Faith Felicia Abiala, expressed relief at seeing her daughter alive, describing the ordeal as an emotionally devastating experience for the family.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the reunion, Abiala urged the Federal Government to strengthen security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to their orientation camps.
She also suggested that the government consider air transportation for corps members posted to distant states to reduce their exposure to dangerous road journeys.
“My advice to the government is that when corps members are posted to states for their service, the government should ensure proper security arrangements, or allow them to travel by air to avoid these kinds of dangerous road journeys,” she said.
Abiala recounted how the abduction had affected her, saying she was too distressed to eat when she learnt that her daughter had been taken.
“I cannot recount all the tears and sorrow, but I give thanks to God that I am seeing her alive today,” she said.
She also commended DSS officials from Oyo and Imo states for their support throughout the ordeal, expressing gratitude that the victims returned safely.
The 20 prospective corps members were among 30 graduates travelling from Oyo State to orientation camps in Abia State when they were attacked along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State. The remaining 10 reportedly escaped through the bush.
The abducted victims regained their freedom seven days after the incident and were taken to a DSS hospital in Owerri for medical attention.
One of the rescued prospective corps members, who declined to be identified, broke down in tears upon sighting her parents during the reunion, describing the experience as horrible.
