Mother Narrates How N6m Ransom Was Raised for Abducted Corps Member

The mother of one of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State has narrated how her family raised ₦6 million allegedly demanded by the kidnappers for her son’s release.

Alirat Wahab said the abductors initially demanded ₦50 million for each of the victims before reducing the amount following negotiations with the parents.

According to her, the kidnappers later agreed to accept ₦5 million but subsequently increased the demand to ₦15 million. After further negotiations, the family eventually agreed to pay ₦6 million.

Wahab said the family did not have the money readily available and had to rely on contributions from relatives, friends and other individuals, while also borrowing to make up the balance.

She said some people contributed ₦20,000, ₦50,000, ₦5,000 and other amounts, while the family borrowed additional funds until they were able to raise the full ₦6 million.

The mother said representatives of the affected families were instructed to meet in Ibadan before travelling to Imo State with the ransom.

She said her husband and the victim’s elder brother were among those who travelled to Imo State. The representatives were reportedly instructed not to transfer the money directly to the kidnappers but to convert it to dollars after arriving in the state.

Wahab said her son’s elder brother later contacted the family to inform them that the ransom had been delivered and the abducted victims had been released.

The family’s account, however, differs from the position of the Imo State Government, which has maintained that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 while travelling to their National Youth Service Corps orientation camps. They were rescued on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State following a joint operation involving the police, military and Department of State Services.

The victims were subsequently taken for medical assessment and necessary care, while security agencies continued efforts to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

The conflicting accounts have raised fresh questions about what led to the victims’ release and the role of ransom negotiations in securing their freedom.