Family Raises N6m Ransom to Free Abducted NYSC Prospective Corps Member

A family of one of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State says it borrowed money and relied on contributions from relatives and other individuals to raise N6m demanded for their son’s release.

The victim’s mother, Alirat Wahab, said the kidnappers initially demanded N50m for each of the abducted graduates before reducing the amount following negotiations with their families.

Wahab disclosed this during separate interviews with News Central on Wednesday and Thursday, after the 20 prospective corps members were released.

She said the abductors initially demanded N50m for each victim but later agreed to lower the amount to N5m. According to her, the demand was subsequently raised to N15m before the family eventually negotiated it down to N6m.

“As we kept pleading, they initially agreed to N5m, but later refused. They started… we became scared. Later on, around three days ago, they said they would collect N15m from us,” Wahab said.

She explained that the family had only N5.5m at the time and eventually raised the required N6m through contributions and borrowing.

“It was other people that helped us so our money could complete. We borrowed money, and others helped us. Some gave N20,000, some N50,000, some gave what they had,” she said.

Wahab said families of the victims were instructed to meet in Ibadan, Oyo State, before sending representatives to Imo State with the money. Her husband and the victim’s brother were among those who travelled, while the families were reportedly told to convert the ransom into dollars rather than transfer it through an account.

Her husband also said the parents collectively raised money for the ransom, with his family contributing N6m while some other families paid N5m. He said additional contributions were made to cover the representatives’ travel expenses.

The family’s account contradicts the Imo State Government’s position that no ransom was paid for the victims’ release. The father dismissed the government’s claim, insisting that the parents had raised and delivered the money.

The victims were abducted while travelling to their NYSC orientation camp in Abia State. They were reportedly travelling from Ibadan when they were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.

Police later confirmed the rescue of all 20 prospective corps members at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State following search-and-rescue operations. The victims were taken for medical assessment and necessary care, while security agencies said efforts were ongoing to arrest those responsible for the abduction.