A mother of one of the prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State has revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim before eventually accepting ₦6 million for her son’s release.
The woman, who spoke to News Central Television after her son was freed, said the abductors initially refused to negotiate their demand, insisting that the ₦50 million ransom was for each individual victim.
According to her, the kidnappers later reduced their demand to ₦15 million but eventually agreed to accept ₦6 million after prolonged negotiations with her family.
“Initially, they asked us to pay ₦50 million per head. We asked whether the amount was for all of them, but they insisted that no, it was for each person,” she said.
She explained that the family pleaded with the kidnappers to accept ₦500,000, but the abductors rejected the offer and continued to threaten and intimidate the family.
The mother said negotiations continued until the kidnappers eventually lowered their demand.
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“Three days ago, they called and said we should pay ₦15 million. We kept begging them that all we had was ₦5.5 million. They said no and insisted on ₦6 million. So, it’s that ₦6 million we paid,” she revealed.
Ransom Payment Arranged in Ibadan
The mother further disclosed that the parents of the abducted prospective corps members were instructed to send representatives to Ibadan, Oyo State, to meet with the kidnappers’ representatives and arrange the ransom payment.
She said her husband and her son’s elder brother attended the meeting, where they were instructed to transfer the ransom into an account.
According to her, the money was subsequently converted into dollars before being delivered to the kidnappers in Imo State.
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“When they got to the meeting place, they asked them to send the money to an account and that when they got to Imo State, they should change the money into dollars,” she said.
The family was later informed that the ransom had been delivered and that their son had been released.
The woman said her son’s elder brother called the family to confirm the development, after which they were able to speak with the freed victim.
“It was the brother who called us this evening to say that they had handed the ransom to the kidnappers and that they had released our son. We also spoke to the boy,” she said.
‘It Was Like Chains Were Loosened’
Recounting the emotional ordeal, the mother described the period of her son’s captivity as traumatic, saying the uncertainty over his safety took a heavy toll on her physical and emotional wellbeing.
She said she struggled to sleep and suffered severe physical distress while waiting for news of her son’s release.
“Since he was kidnapped, I have been stooling. I couldn’t sleep either. But I was relieved when I heard they had been released. It was as though the chains all over me were loosened,” she said.
20 Prospective Corps Members Abducted
The 20 prospective NYSC members were abducted on October 1 after gunmen reportedly attacked two buses travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
Following days of search-and-rescue operations, the Nigeria Police Force announced that the victims were rescued on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi Village, with the operation involving the police and other security agencies.
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The victims were subsequently taken for medical assessment and necessary care.
However, the family’s account of ransom payment has emerged alongside the official account of the rescue, with other relatives also reportedly saying they paid millions of naira to secure the release of their loved ones.
The development has renewed concerns over the growing security challenges facing travellers and young Nigerians preparing to commence national service.
Security agencies are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
