‘We Paid N6m Ransom’, says mother of corps member ‘rescued by security operatives’

The mother of a prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member abducted in Imo State has disclosed that her family paid N6 million to secure her son's release. Initially, the kidnappers demanded N50 million per victim, but after negotiations with the families, the ransom was reduced to N6 million. The family struggled to raise the funds, with the abductors initially refusing a plea of N500,000.

Representatives of the affected families traveled to Ibadan to arrange the ransom payment, and it was later confirmed that the ransom had been delivered, leading to the release of her son. The ordeal left her feeling relieved and anxious, as the experience had taken a heavy toll on her. This incident unfolded a week ago when security agencies recovered all 20 prospective corps members, who were abducted while traveling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom.

The attack prompted significant concern due to the number of young graduates involved and the location of the incident along a major inter-state route linking the South-East with other parts of the country.