Uzodimma’s Return Delays Release Of 20 Freed Prospective Corps Members

The return of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has delayed the release of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members freed from kidnappers in the state on Wednesday to their families.

Security sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said access to the prospective corps members had been restricted pending the governor’s return to receive them.

It was gathered that immediately after their release on Wednesday, the 20 prospective corps members and another passenger were taken to a Department of State Services (DSS) hospital facility for medical checks.

Some journalists based in Owerri visited the DSS headquarters seeking access to the freed victims but were informed that they were at the hospital.

Meanwhile, correspondents covering activities at the Imo State Government House were asked to remain on standby at the airport ahead of the expected arrival of the freed prospective corps members.

However, the planned movement was later cancelled, leaving journalists awaiting further information from the DSS and the police.

The security agencies had yet to provide details on the condition of the prospective corps members or the circumstances surrounding their release as of the time of filing this report.

The development has also raised questions over the circumstances surrounding their release, particularly after some of their parents in Ibadan said in separate interviews that they had paid various sums of money to secure the freedom of their children.

However, no official from the security agencies had provided further information on the state of the prospective corps members or when they would be reunited with their families.