The mother of one of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State has revealed that her family paid N6 million to secure her son's release. Alirat Wahab said the abductors initially demanded N50 million for each victim but later reduced the amount after negotiations with the families. The incident occurred when the victims, who were travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom, were attacked in Imo State.
According to Wahab, the family initially pleaded with the abductors to accept N500,000 but they refused. A subsequent demand of N15 million was eventually negotiated down to N6 million. Representatives of the affected families were instructed to travel to Ibadan to arrange the ransom payment, with her husband and elder son among those who went on behalf of the family.
Wahab said the family was later informed that the ransom had been delivered and that her son had been released, allowing them to speak with him. She described the relief she felt after learning that her son was free, saying it was as though the chains all over her were loosened. The ordeal had taken a heavy toll on her, with Wahab stating that she had been stooling and couldn't sleep.
The disclosure comes a day after security agencies announced the recovery of all 20 prospective corps members. The development brought to an end a week-long ordeal that had triggered anxiety among their families and renewed concerns over the safety of young Nigerians travelling to commence national service.
The victims were among passengers travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom when the buses came under attack in Imo State. Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, disclosed that security operatives had used drone surveillance to locate the kidnappers' camp.
Bosso said operatives could not immediately move into the location because intelligence indicated that the area had been planted with improvised explosive devices. Security agencies were deploying additional operational equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to gain access to the area while protecting both the victims and the operatives.
The Nigeria Police Force announced that the remaining 20 prospective corps members had been rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State through a joint operation involving the police, military and the Department of State Services. The victims were subsequently taken for medical assessment and necessary care, while investigations continue to identify and arrest those behind the abduction.
Key points
- The family of one of the abducted NYSC members paid N6 million to secure his release.
- The abductors initially demanded N50 million for each victim but later reduced the amount.
- All 20 prospective corps members were rescued through a joint operation involving the police, military and the Department of State Services.
