The Oyo State Government has disclosed that it is working closely with the Imo State Government and relevant security agencies to secure the safe release of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members of Oyo State origin abducted in Imo State.

 The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, saying the state government was maintaining close government-to-government contact with its Imo State counterpart while actively engaging security agencies in both states.

 According to Oyelade, Oyo State is also sharing templates and experiences from its handling of the Oriire kidnapping incident to support efforts to secure the victims’ release.

 He said the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Oriire abduction, submitted last week by the panel led by Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade, was also being used in the ongoing discussions between the two states.

 The 20 prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps on Thursday when gunmen reportedly attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

 The abductors were reported to have demanded a ransom of N50 million for each victim, bringing the total demand to N1 billion.

 The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the ransom demand to PUNCH Online on Friday.

 Oyelade explained that governments do not ordinarily disclose all measures being taken in sensitive security situations, particularly when such disclosures could compromise ongoing rescue operations.

 He said the focus should be on the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who are constitutionally responsible for national security, particularly the actions taken within the first 72 hours of the incident.

 The commissioner also recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde had last week appealed to President Bola Tinubu to expedite action on the abducted 40 Borno students who were kidnapped on May 15—the same day students and teachers of Esinele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were abducted.

 “Oyo State Government would continue to work with the Imo State Government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders towards the safe return of the abducted corps members,” Oyelade said.