A prospective member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has described the alleged beatings, poor food and threats endured by 20 abducted travellers who were held in a forest in Imo State before their rescue on October 7.
The survivor, speaking to BBC Pidgin in an interview published on Monday, said their captors gave them dry garri and dirty water to survive while restricting their communication with family members.
The account follows the abduction of the 20 graduates travelling to their NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Security agencies rescued them seven days after they were seized.
Survivor describes beatings and threats
The survivor said the captors allowed the victims to telephone their families but closely monitored what they said.
According to the account, anyone whose conversation angered the kidnappers risked being beaten, including being struck with firearms.
The survivor said male captives were frequently punched and assaulted, while the kidnappers appeared more reluctant to physically attack the women.
The victims reportedly remained under threats as they tried to maintain contact with their relatives during their captivity.
Captives survived on garri and dirty water
Describing the conditions in the forest, the survivor said the abductees had little choice but to consume dry garri and water mixed with mud.
The survivor said the water was extremely dirty but that they drank it because they needed to survive.
The experience also left the victim struggling to comprehend what was happening, describing a sense of shock and helplessness throughout the ordeal.
The survivor credited the Department of State Services (DSS) with carrying out the rescue, saying the government agency had helped secure their release.
How the 20 prospective corps members were abducted
The group was abducted on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom.
The attack reportedly occurred at about 6.30am along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, around Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
Gunmen attacked two buses conveying the prospective corps members.
The survivor said the group had departed at about 9am on an earlier leg of their journey and made several stops before reaching Onitsha, where the driver reportedly said they would spend the night.
According to the account, some passengers had earlier urged the driver to continue travelling after reaching Ore to avoid delays. The driver reportedly explained that resting in Onitsha was necessary because the next part of the journey could be dangerous.
The passengers informed their families about the overnight stop and went to sleep. The survivor said they later woke up to find themselves in captivity.
Security agencies launched a search operation
During the search for the missing travellers, police said security operatives had used drone surveillance to locate the kidnappers’ hideout.
However, suspected improvised explosive devices around the camp reportedly made access difficult.
Security agencies subsequently intensified their search-and-rescue efforts, deploying additional personnel and equipment.
The 20 victims were eventually rescued on October 7 in a joint security operation. They were taken for medical examinations and treatment after their release.
Reports also indicated that the freed graduates were offered postings in the South-West following the incident.
Investigation continues after the rescue
Although the victims have been released, the search for those responsible for the abduction remains an important part of the case.
The survivor’s account has drawn attention to the treatment of the captives and the dangers faced by young Nigerians travelling to their NYSC orientation camps.
The incident also highlights continuing security concerns on major roads in parts of the country, particularly for travellers moving between states.
Authorities had confirmed the rescue of the 20 prospective corps members, while efforts to locate the kidnappers continued, according to earlier reports…..Read more