Families of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have disclosed that they paid millions of naira in ransom to secure the release of their loved ones, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the victims’ freedom.
According to reports by News Central Television, some families paid between ₦3 million and ₦6 million to the abductors while desperately seeking the safe return of their children.
The prospective corps members were reportedly held captive for seven days while travelling to their NYSC orientation camp in Imo State. They were eventually released alongside another abducted individual following an operation involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
One of the victims’ mothers, recounting her ordeal, said she struggled to raise ₦3 million to secure her child’s freedom.
She explained that the fear of losing her child forced her to seek financial assistance and arrange for the money to be delivered to Imo State.
Similarly, the father of another rescued corps member disclosed that several families gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State, to raise the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
According to him, some families reportedly converted the money into dollars before arranging its delivery to the abductors.
Although relieved by his son’s safe return, the father lamented the financial hardship the payment had caused, describing himself as a farmer struggling to meet the unexpected demand.
The revelations have renewed calls for transparency from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which had earlier questioned the circumstances surrounding the release of the abducted corps members.
While commending the security agencies for their efforts, the organisation urged authorities to clarify whether the victims were rescued directly from their captors or released following negotiations and ransom payments.
HURIWA also expressed concern over the absence of publicly reported arrests of suspects connected to the abduction.
The Imo State Police Command had previously disclosed that drone surveillance helped security operatives locate the kidnappers’ hideout. However, access to the location was reportedly complicated by the discovery of suspected improvised explosive devices.
Additional equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, was subsequently deployed to facilitate access to the area.
Against this background, HURIWA questioned what transpired after security operatives identified the suspected hideout.
The organisation also cited reports that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million per victim before allegedly reducing the amount to ₦5 million per person.
For the 20 prospective corps members, the reported initial demand amounted to ₦1 billion, while the reduced demand would have totalled ₦100 million.
HURIWA clarified that it was not accusing any government agency of paying ransom but insisted that Nigerians deserved a clear account of how the victims regained their freedom.
Meanwhile, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), has commended the Nigerian Army, police, DSS and other security agencies for the safe return of the 20 prospective corps members and another abducted individual.
Marwa described the operation as evidence of the importance of coordinated, intelligence driven security efforts, stressing that young Nigerians preparing to serve their country deserved adequate protection.
The emerging accounts from the victims’ families have intensified public interest in the operation, particularly regarding the role of ransom payments, the effectiveness of the security response and whether those responsible for the abduction will be apprehended.
As of the time of this report, the precise circumstances surrounding the victims’ release and the status of any arrests had not been independently established from the information available.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
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