I’m Not Aware Ransom Was Paid For Release Of Abducted Corps Members-Imo Police Commissioner

The Imo State Police Command revealed on Thursday that they were unaware of a ransom being paid for the release of 20 abducted corps members and one other individual, who were freed from their captors in Imo State. Police Commissioner Audu Bosso made this statement during an interview with Channels Television. The kidnappers reportedly yielded to pressure from security forces during a rescue operation in the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

However, the freed victims are currently receiving assistance at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters. The 20 corps members, along with another person, were abducted on October 1 while traveling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Following the incident, security agencies initiated a joint search-and-rescue operation.

Initially, the Imo State Police Command located the kidnappers' hideout using drone surveillance, but they had to wait as the area was reportedly mined with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Additional police resources were later deployed to speed up the rescue efforts. The abduction caused concern among the victims' families, as reports suggested that the abductors demanded N50 million per victim.

Ten victims were initially rescued, and the remaining 21 were located and released on Wednesday. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma praised the swift response of security agencies and the cooperation between Oyo and Imo state governments in securing the captives' safe return.