The mother of one of the prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members recently abducted in Imo State has revealed that she paid N6 million to secure her son’s release from his kidnappers.
The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, made the revelation during an interview with News Central Television on Wednesday, following the release of the abducted corps members.
According to her, the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim. She said the family pleaded with them to reduce the amount, but the abductors later demanded N15 million before eventually agreeing to accept N6 million for her son.
“Initially, they asked us to pay N50 million per head,” she said, adding that the family told the kidnappers they could only raise about N5.5 million. “They said no and insisted on N6 million. So, it’s that N6 million we paid.”
She explained that representatives of the victims’ families were instructed to meet the kidnappers in Ibadan before the ransom was transferred. Her husband and her son’s elder brother reportedly participated in the process and later delivered the ransom.
The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 after gunmen attacked two buses travelling from Ibadan along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. Ten victims were reportedly rescued at the scene, while 20 others remained in captivity. The remaining victims were eventually rescued on October 7 in Amakohia Ubi, Imo State, following a joint operation involving the police, military and Department of State Services (DSS).
The mother said the ordeal left her traumatised and unable to sleep while her son was in captivity. She expressed relief after receiving confirmation that he had been released and that the victims were being reunited with their families.
