Bombs Hinder Rescue of 19 Kidnapped Youth Service Recruits in Nigeria

Mon Oct 05 2026 14:45:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Nigerian police say a camp holding 19 abducted youths may be mined, delaying a rescue plan as ransom demands soar.

Police Commissioner Audu Bosome confirmed a camp in the south‑eastern state of Imo holds 19 National Youth Service Corps recruits that were rounded up after a bus attack. Drone footage pinpointed the location but careful ground teams fear improvised explosive devices may be present, which has stalled a rescue operation. Families, like Omotosho Adewale who has not eaten for three days, plead for help as kidnappers demand a 50 million‑naira ransom. The incident highlights the rising threat to young people travelling for national service and the need for stronger security measures.

Bombs Hinder Rescue of 19 Kidnapped Youth Service Recruits in Nigeria

Police Commissioner Audu Bosso said the Nigerian authorities have located a camp where 19 National Youth Service Corps recruits were taken after a bus was attacked on the Imo‑Ibadan route. The troops are believed to be held in a compound that the police think is mined with improvised explosive devices, preventing a quick rescue.

The location was first highlighted by drone surveillance, which gave officers a clear view of the abduction site. However, the risk of IEDs means soldiers and armored vehicles are being stationed a short drive away as a rescue plan is devised.

Omotosho Adewale, whose son is among the captives, told reporters he has been unable to eat for three days and that the kidnappers demanded 50 million naira—an amount he cannot afford. The father has called for government intervention, citing the persistent threat to family safety.

The National Youth Service Corps is a compulsory year of community service for most Nigerian graduates, intended to foster national unity. Those who travel from cities like Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia or Akwa Ibom often face security risks that have traditionally been lower in the south‑east.

The incident is part of a worrying trend of ransom kidnapping that has escalated across Nigeria, with both criminal gangs and militia groups involved. Government officials continue to warn families against paying ransoms, though desperation often puts them at a crossroads.

Experts say the Abomey's kidnapping underscores the need to re‑evaluate safety protocols for young people traveling for national service. Without stronger protective measures, such abductions could become more frequent and dangerous.