Parents of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have alleged that they paid millions of naira in ransom to secure their children’s release, contradicting the police account that the victims were rescued through sustained security operations.
The parents disclosed that individual families paid between ₦3 million and ₦6 million to the kidnappers, with some borrowing money and receiving financial assistance from relatives, friends and members of the public to meet the demands.
The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1, 2026, while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The victims were reportedly travelling in two buses when armed men ambushed them at Ogbaku, in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.
Their release on Wednesday, October 7, brought relief to their families after six days of uncertainty and distress. However, conflicting accounts of how they regained their freedom have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding their release.
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Mother Says She Paid ₦3 Million to Secure Child’s Release
One of the mothers recounted the emotional and financial difficulties she experienced while trying to secure her child’s freedom.
According to her, she struggled to raise the money while fearing for her child’s safety.
“I paid as much as ₦3 million as ransom while I was hoping that nothing happened to my child. I ran helter-skelter to raise the money. I eventually got the money and sent someone to deliver the ransom directly to them,” she said.
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The account highlights the financial burden reportedly placed on families who were desperate to secure the safe return of their loved ones.
Family Borrows ₦6 Million to Meet Kidnappers’ Demand
The father of another abducted prospective corps member disclosed that his family had to gather in Ibadan to raise ₦6 million to secure his son’s release.
He explained that family members contributed money, while some resorted to borrowing to meet the kidnappers’ demands.
“We had to converge somewhere in Ibadan, Oyo State, to put the money together. Some of us even changed the money to dollars and sent it to Imo State to meet whoever was coming to pick it. I am excited that my son is coming back. However, how do I repay the ₦6 million I borrowed? I’m just a farmer,” he said.
The father’s account illustrates the economic consequences of the incident for families who allegedly had to incur substantial debts to secure the release of their children.
Kidnappers Allegedly Demanded ₦50 Million Per Victim
Another mother, speaking in an interview with News Central Television, disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million for each abducted person.
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According to her, the families appealed to the abductors to reduce the amount, but their initial requests were rejected.
She said the kidnappers later reduced the demand to ₦15 million before eventually insisting on ₦6 million from 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 recounted.
She added that the families continued negotiating, explaining that they could not afford the amount being demanded.
“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 said.
The mother also alleged that the kidnappers instructed the parents to send representatives to Ibadan to coordinate the ransom arrangements.
She said her husband and her son’s elder brother participated in the meeting before the money was transferred and arrangements were made to convert it into US dollars.
The mother further described the physical and psychological toll of the ordeal, saying she experienced persistent stomach upset and sleeplessness while her child remained in captivity.
She said the news of the release brought her considerable relief after days of fear and uncertainty.
Parents Dispute Police Account of Rescue Operation
The allegations by the parents contradict the official account provided by the Nigeria Police Force, which announced that the 20 prospective corps members had been rescued through coordinated security operations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the victims were rescued on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State following sustained search-and-rescue operations involving the police and other security agencies.
According to the police statement, the victims were subsequently taken for medical assessment and necessary care.
The police also said coordinated operations were continuing to track down and prosecute those responsible for the abduction.
The statement commended members of the public for their cooperation and support during the operation.
However, the parents’ accounts suggest that ransom payments played a role in securing the victims’ release, raising questions about the precise circumstances surrounding the operation.
The competing accounts have not been independently reconciled.
Parent Tells BBC Ransom Was Paid in US Dollars
In a separate interview with BBC News Yoruba, another parent, who requested anonymity, reportedly maintained that the families, rather than security agencies, secured the release of the abducted youths through ransom payments.
The parent said relatives, friends and individuals who offered assistance online contributed money to help the families meet the kidnappers’ demands.
“Not a single person was responsible for securing the release of our children. The parents, alongside friends and support from people online, contributed money so that each parent could pay the amount demanded by the kidnappers,” the parent said.
The parent also claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) was involved in the investigation and was aware that the families had converted the ransom money into US dollars before delivering it to the abductors.
According to the account, the money was exchanged through a local currency dealer before being transferred as instructed by the kidnappers.
The allegation adds another dimension to the conflicting accounts surrounding the operation, although the precise circumstances of the ransom arrangements and the extent of security agencies’ knowledge remain matters requiring clarification.
Imo Police Deny Knowledge of Ransom Payment
The Imo State Police Command has denied having knowledge of any ransom payment made to secure the release of the 20 prospective corps members.
Speaking with Channels Television, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, maintained that the victims regained their freedom because of sustained pressure from security operatives.
According to him, tactical teams and other security personnel combed the forest in search of the abductors, forcing the criminal gang to abandon the victims and flee.
The commissioner insisted that the operation by security agencies was responsible for the victims’ release, rather than any financial transaction with the kidnappers.
The police position directly conflicts with the accounts provided by several parents, who say they paid millions of naira to secure their children’s freedom.
The discrepancy has intensified calls for a clearer explanation of the events that led to the release of the abducted youths.
Rescued Corps Members Arrive in Ibadan, Taken to DSS
Following their release, the 20 prospective corps members reportedly arrived in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they were taken to the DSS headquarters in the Aleshinloye area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area for debriefing.
Reports indicated that representatives of the victims’ parents were allowed access to the premises, while other relatives and sympathizers remained outside.
Their arrival in Ibadan marked a significant development for families who had spent days seeking information about their loved ones.
The release has also renewed concerns about the safety of young Nigerians travelling across states to participate in the NYSC scheme, particularly those journeying long distances to orientation camps.
Mother Threatens to Withdraw Child From NYSC
The ordeal has reportedly left some parents questioning whether their children should continue with the national service programme under their original postings.
One mother said she would consider withdrawing her child from the scheme if the posting remained unchanged.
She maintained that she would only allow her child to proceed with the service year if redeployed to a state she considered safer, specifically mentioning Oyo and Ogun states.
The position reflects the anxiety among some families following the abduction and the uncertainty surrounding the security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps.
The incident has renewed attention on the need for effective security measures, safe travel arrangements and timely communication with families when corps members encounter danger.
Olubadan’s Palace Confirms Victims’ Release
The palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan also issued a statement confirming that the abducted prospective corps members had regained their freedom.
The confirmation brought further reassurance to the families and the wider community in Ibadan, where the youths had begun their journey before the abduction in Imo State.
However, the confirmation of their release has not resolved the disagreement between the parents and the police over whether ransom payments were made and what role, if any, those payments played in securing their freedom.
Questions Remain Over Circumstances of Release
Although the safe return of the 20 prospective corps members has brought relief to their families, the conflicting accounts have left important questions unanswered.
Several parents have alleged that they paid millions of naira in ransom, with some claiming that the money was converted into US dollars and delivered through arrangements coordinated by the kidnappers.
The Imo State Police Command, however, maintains that sustained security operations forced the abductors to abandon their victims.
The allegations concerning ransom payments, the involvement of security agencies and the exact circumstances of the release require further clarification from the relevant authorities.
For the families, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their children to normal life. For the wider public, the incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen the security of prospective corps members travelling to NYSC orientation camps and to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are identified and brought to justice.
Cruise TV News will continue to follow developments surrounding the incident as further verified information becomes available.
