Families of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members rescued in Imo State have disclosed that they paid millions of naira to their abductors before learning that the victims had been freed.
Relatives told News Central Television that the ransom payments placed a heavy financial burden on their families, with some reportedly paying more than N3 million and others as much as N6 million to secure the release of their loved ones.
The prospective corps members were rescued alongside another hostage on Wednesday by a coordinated operation involving the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security agencies in Imo State.
One of the mothers said she paid N3 million after struggling to raise the money while fearing for her child’s safety.
“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 told News Central Television.
Another parent said his family paid N6 million to secure the release of his son.
He explained that relatives and other family members had to gather in Ibadan, Oyo State, to raise 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 that his son had been rescued but said the financial consequences of the ransom payment remained a major concern.
“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 20 prospective corps members were abducted while travelling from Oyo State to Abia State for their NYSC orientation programme.
Security agencies later announced their rescue in Imo State.
