NYSC Abduction: Parents Confirm Return of ₦6 Million Ransom

Families of some of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have said the money they contributed as ransom has been returned, though it remains unclear whether the payment was ever made to the kidnappers.

One family said it paid N6 million to secure the release of a son who was abducted alongside 19 others along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway on October 1.

In a follow-up interview with News Central, Obasanjo Wahab said the N6 million had been refunded.

“The money has been returned. We just want to thank Imo for a job well done,” he said.

Asked whether the ransom had been handed to the kidnappers, he replied, “We don’t know.”

Wahab said representatives were selected from the affected families, one from his family and two from others, to handle the situation.

“They went to look for the kidnapped corps members to see whether they would be freed or not,” he said.

“The kidnappers had asked for representatives to bring the ransom. Since they could no longer hold the corps members hostage, they let them go.”

He did not say who returned the money or under what circumstances.

He urged the public to move on and to appreciate the Imo State Government’s role in securing the victims’ release.

Alirat Wahab also confirmed the refund, saying the money was returned to the representatives.

“They returned it to those who went to represent us. Every parent has received their money back,” she said.

The corps members were abducted after gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses travelling from Ibadan to Anambra State. The kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion before reportedly reducing the demand to N5 million per victim, a total of N100 million.

On Wednesday, police spokesman Anietie Iniedu said the victims had been rescued after seven days in captivity in Amakohia Ubi village, Imo State, in a joint operation by the Department of State Services, the military and the police.

However, the circumstances of the release remain unclear, with no details of arrests, injuries or recoveries disclosed.

News Central reporter Mbadike Victor said at least four families had independently described paying ransom but later said the money was returned.

“Was it a rescue or was it a release from the kidnappers?” Victor said.

“If it was a rescue, we know there would have been some level of engagement with these criminals in the event of that maybe casualties, injuries, arrests, but we did not see any of that.”

“Clearly there’s a whole lot of loopholes that need to be dug, and answers revealed.”