NYSC Abduction: Parents Reveal Millions Paid In Ransom Before Corps Members’ Rescue

Parents of some of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members recently abducted in Imo State have revealed that they allegedly paid millions of naira to the kidnappers before the victims were rescued by security agencies.

The relatives spoke after the abducted corps members and another hostage were rescued on Wednesday in an operation involving security agencies, including the military and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking with News Central Television, some of the parents said they went through severe emotional and financial difficulties while trying to secure the release of their children.

One of the mothers said she paid N3 million as ransom after making frantic efforts to raise the money.

“I paid as much as N3 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 Imo State to deliver the ransom,” she said.

Similarly, a father of one of the abducted corps members disclosed that he paid N6 million for his son’s release.

According to him, several parents had to come together in Ibadan, Oyo State, to raise money for the ransom demanded by the abductors.

“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.

The father expressed relief over his son’s rescue but lamented the financial burden incurred in raising the ransom.

“I am excited that my son is coming back. However, how do I repay the N6 million I borrowed? I’m just a farmer,” he said.

The development came shortly after security agencies rescued the abducted corps members and another hostage during an operation in the state.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged ransom payments, including whether the payments were made before the security operation, remain subject to further clarification from the relevant authorities.

The rescue has brought relief to the affected families, who had endured days of uncertainty and anxiety over the safety of their children.

The incident has also renewed concerns over the security of corps members deployed to different parts of the country for the mandatory national service.

Authorities are expected to provide further details on the circumstances of the abduction, the rescue operation and efforts to apprehend those responsible.