Abducted Corps Members’ Families Get N6m Ransom Refund

The families of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have confirmed the return of ransom money they raised to secure their relatives’ release.

Obasanjo Wahab, whose son was among the 20 victims, disclosed this in a follow-up interview with News Central. He said the families had received refunds, although they could not confirm whether the money reached the kidnappers.

His wife, Alirat Wahab, had earlier told the media platform that their family paid N6 million after gunmen abducted their son and 19 other prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway on October 1.

Obasanjo said representatives of the affected families handled negotiations with the kidnappers. His family appointed one representative, while two others came from different families.

“The money has been returned. We just want to thank Imo for a job well done,” he said.

He explained that the representatives went to negotiate for the victims’ release after the kidnappers demanded that the families send people to deliver the ransom.

According to him, the families remained uncertain about whether the kidnappers collected any money before releasing the victims.

“We don’t know,” he said when asked whether the ransom had reached the abductors.

Obasanjo added that the kidnappers released the prospective corps members after they could no longer keep them in captivity.

However, he did not identify who refunded the money or explain how the refunds were arranged.

He urged the families and the public to move on from the incident and appreciate the Imo State Government for its role in securing the victims’ freedom.

“You know what, let’s forget the matter and just appeal to the Imo State Government. We should be grateful to them,” he said.

Alirat also confirmed that the money had been returned to the representatives who acted on behalf of the families.

“They returned it to those who went to represent us. Every parent has received their money back,” she said.

The 20 prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to Anambra State when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses conveying passengers on October 1.

The kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion from the victims’ families before reportedly reducing the ransom to N5 million per person. The revised demand amounted to N100 million for all 20 abductees.

On Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Anietie Iniedu, announced that security operatives had rescued the victims after seven days in captivity.

The police said operatives of the Department of State Services, the military and the police jointly carried out the rescue operation.

According to the police, the operation took place in Amakohia Ubi village, Imo State.