‘We paid millions’ – Families of rescued abducted NYSC members speak

Families of the 20 rescued National Youth Service Corps members have revealed that they paid millions of naira in ransom before learning of their release. News Central Television reported that some relatives paid over N3 million, while others reportedly paid up to N6 million. The rescued individuals, along with another hostage, were freed by security agencies such as the military, Department of State Services, DSS, police, and other formations in Imo State on Wednesday.

One mother shared her experience, stating that she had paid N3 million to secure her child's release after running around to gather the funds. Another father disclosed that he had paid N6 million for his son's rescue. "We had to gather the money together in Ibadan, Oyo State," he said. "Some of us even converted the funds into dollars to send to Imo State for the ransom."

The father expressed excitement over his son's return but raised concerns about repaying the borrowed N6 million. "I'm just a farmer; how do I repay this borrowed money?" he wondered.