{
  "id": 14019280,
  "title": "They wanted millions: NYSC-bound traveller recounts kidnap ordeal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/they-wanted-millions-nysc-bound-traveller-recounts-kidnap-ordeal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T18:32:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/they-wanted-millions-nysc-bound-traveller-recounts-kidnap-ordeal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prospective National Youth Service Corps member Ibi Philip recounted his kidnapping ordeal in Edo State to the media, detailing how he and 11 other travellers were held captive in a forest in Kogi State for over a week. Initially, the kidnappers demanded ₦50 million ransom, which later reduced to ₦30 million, ₦20 million, and finally ₦10 million as the captives' families struggled to raise the funds. The victim recounted his harrowing experience of trekking through the savannah, surviving on minimal food, and enduring heavy rain while being held hostage. His father, Chief Sunday Ibi, played a crucial role in raising N1.5 million to N1.7 million in efforts to secure his release. The kidnappers became furious when they learned his father had raised ₦500,000 instead of ₦1 million, resulting in severe beatings. Despite the hardships, the captives managed to escape after the ransom was paid, with each victim receiving ₦2,000 from the gang leader before they were freed.",
  "summary": "A prospective National Youth Service Corps member, Ibi Philip, has recounted how he and 11 other travellers were abducted in Edo State and held captive in a forest in Kogi State for more than a week, with their captors initially demanding N50m ransom. Philip said the kidnappers later reduced the demand to N30m, N20m and Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ibi Philip recounts 7-week kidnapping ordeal in Edo and Kogi States",
    "Kidnappers demanded ransom increasing from ₦50 million to ₦10 million",
    "Father Chief Sunday Ibi raised N1.7 million to secure release"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "They wanted millions: NYSC-bound traveller recounts kidnap ordeal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/they-wanted-millions-nysc-bound-traveller-recounts-kidnap-ordeal-14021541",
        "published": "2026-10-12T18:44:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}