Imo NYSC Kidnap: Parents and Government Disagree Over Ransom-Facilitated Release

Parents of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State say they paid millions of naira in ransom to secure their children’s release, despite claims by security agencies that an operation freed the victims.

The parents said some families paid ₦3 million, while others raised as much as ₦6 million after kidnappers threatened the lives of their children.

The victims were abducted on 1st October while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

They were released on 7th October after six days in captivity.

One mother told reporters that she struggled to raise the money demanded by the kidnappers.

“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.

The father of another victim said his family borrowed money to raise ₦6 million.

“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,” he said.

“I am excited that my son is coming back.

"However, how do I repay the ₦6 million I borrowed?

"I’m just a farmer.”

Another parent said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim before the families pleaded for a reduction.

However, Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso said he was not aware of any ransom payment.

He credited the victims’ release to pressure from security agencies.

“The sustained pressure mounted by the security agencies eventually forced the abductors to release the victims,” Bosso said.

The police said a joint operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services and other agencies led to the rescue.

The victims were taken for medical attention.

Imo Gov. Hope Uzodimma also praised the security agencies for their cooperation, saying the government withheld details of its response to protect the captives.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about what led to the victims’ release and whether ransom payments were made. The families’ claims have not been independently verified, and authorities have not publicly confirmed that any ransom was paid.