Posted by Samuel on Thu 23rd Jan, 2025 - tori.ng
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member identified as Rhoda Odeyale abducted in Rivers State has regained freedom after Nigerians collectively raised and paid a ransom of N1.5 million.
Rhoda Odeyale, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who was kidnapped in Rivers State has regained freedom after Nigerians collectively raised and paid a ransom of N1.5 million.
Recall that Rhoda, a graduate of University of Ilorin, was abducted on her way to Port Harcourt in Rivers State on Wednesday.
The kidnappers contacted her family and relatives to demand the sum of N2.5million ransom to release her.
Her family could not independently raise the ransom. This made her former schoolmates and friends to beg Nigerian netizens in raising the money to rescue the corps member.
One of her former schoolmates, Amazing Grace wrote on X: “To serve Nigeria now is a crime. They've kidnapped some close Unilorites on their way to Portharcourt.
“Can they just scrap this whole NYSC shit? Nigeria has failed us but Nigerians, please we need your help at this point. Please if you want to help, I can like link you with the Family.”
During a telephone conversation with SaharaReporters on Thursday, one of her former schoolmates behind the fundraising confirmed that Rhoda has been released by the kidnappers after a ransom of N1.5 million was paid.
“They asked for N2.5 million but we negotiated and eventually paid N1.5 million,” the source said.
“What surprised us is that the kidnappers supplied us with an account number and asked us to transfer the money which we did. One hour later, they released her.”
Earlier this month, SaharaReporters reported that a yet-to-be confirmed number of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were among those abducted by suspected herders at Enugu-Ezike in the Igbo Eze North local government area of Enugu State
SaharaReporters had also exclusively reported how gunmen on Thursday, January 9, 2025, abducted about 35 passengers along Enugu-Nsukka Road in the community.
Three buses were attacked, and initially, four Nigerian Army personnel were taken, but one, PTE Usendu Emediong (24NA/87/7560), managed to escape.
However, PTE Usoro Ezekiel Paul (24NA/87/6751), Jeremiah Inimbom Thomas (24NA/87/7937) and PTE Victor Itiat Godwin (24NA/87/8348) were taken away with the other passengers.