THE parents of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have revealed that they paid millions of naira in ransom before their loved ones were freed. While some relatives paid N3 million, other families raised up to N6 million to secure their children’s safety.

These revelations directly contradict statements from the Nigeria Police Force, which claimed security agencies rescued the victims on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The abduction occurred six days earlier while the youth were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

I could raise only N3 million — Mother

One of the mothers shared her grueling experience of scrambling for funds while fearing for her child’s life:

“I paid as much as ₦3 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 deliver the ransom directly to them.”

Family converged in Ibadan to raise N6 million

The father of another captive explained that his family had to form an emergency alliance to raise N6 million:

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

Another mother detailed her negotiations during an interview with News Central Television. She revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded an astronomical N50 million per head.

“Initially, they asked us to pay N50 million per head. We asked whether the amount was for all of them, but they insisted that no, it was for each person. Later, we started begging them to take N500,000. But they said no and started scaring us,” she said in Yoruba.

“Three days ago, they called and said we should pay N15 million. We kept begging them that all we had was ₦5.5 million. They said no and insisted on N6 million. So, it’s that N6 million we paid.”

The abductors instructed the parents to send representatives to Ibadan to organize the logistics:

“They called all the parents of all the victims. Twenty of them are in the bush. They then asked us to send three persons each to meet with them in Ibadan. My husband and my son’s elder brother went. When they got to the meeting place, they asked them to send the money to an account, and that when they got to Imo State, they should change the money into dollars. This is not a rumour. They have all been released and sent to us. His brother is among the people who went to meet with the abductors three days ago. They left with the ransom.”

The ordeal took a severe physical and psychological toll on her

“Since he was kidnapped, I have been stooling. I couldn’t sleep either. But I was relieved when I heard they had been released. It was as though the chains all over me were loosened.”

The ambush at Ogbaku

The 20 prospective corps members were ambushed on Thursday, October 1, 2026, while travelling in two buses. The incident took place at Ogbaku in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, along the busy Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. They were en route to the NYSC camps in Bende, Abia State, and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The official police narrative

The Nigeria Police Force presented a completely different account, maintaining that a joint security operation rescued the youth. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, stated that the victims were recovered at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State following sustained search-and-rescue operations.

The official police statement read: “The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has rescued the 20 prospective NYSC corps members abducted in Imo State on 1st October 2026. The victims were rescued on 7th October 2026 at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained search-and-rescue operations. They have since been taken for medical assessment and necessary care.”

The police added that coordinated operations are ongoing to track down and prosecute the masterminds of the abduction, thanking the public for their cooperation and support during the rescue operation.

Ransom paid in U.S. Dollars, parents tell BBC

In a separate interview with BBC News Yoruba, another parent speaking on the condition of anonymity reiterated that the kidnappers collected the ransom strictly in U.S. dollars. This parent forcefully denied that security agencies were responsible for the release.

“Not a single person was responsible for securing the release of our children. The parents, alongside friends and support from people online, contributed money so that each parent could pay the amount demanded by the kidnappers.”

The parent claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) was involved in the investigation and was fully aware of the ransom payment process:

“The DSS was involved in rescue efforts and had invited parents to assist with investigations. The DSS was fully aware that we had converted money into U.S. dollars through a local currency exchanger (aboki) before delivering it to the kidnappers. It was a huge amount of money. The money was substantial.”

Relocation demands and palace confirmation

Following the trauma, one mother declared that her child would pull out of the NYSC scheme entirely if forced to remain in her original posting. She stated she would only allow her child to continue the service year if redeployed to safer regions like Oyo State or Ogun State.

Meanwhile, the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan—the traditional ruler of the city where the youth began their journey — released an official statement confirming that the victims had safely regained their freedom.

Imo Police deny knowledge of ransom

When confronted with the parents’ claims, the Imo State Police Command firmly denied any knowledge of financial exchanges. Speaking with Channels Television, the Commissioner of Police for Imo State, Audu Bosso, insisted the command was completely unaware of any ransom paid for the 20 corps members and another independent victim who was freed.

Commissioner Bosso maintained that the criminal gang fractured under immense pressure from security forces:

“The kidnappers eventually succumbed to pressure from security agencies, which combed the forest in a sustained rescue operation.”

The commissioner emphasized that tactical teams forced the abductors to abandon their victims and flee the area, concluding that official pressure, not cash, secured their liberty

Rescued 20 prospective NYSC corps members arrive Ibadan, taken to DSS

Meanwhile, the rescued 20 prospective corps members arrived in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, where they were taken to the Department of State Services, DSS, headquarters for debriefing.

The prospective corps members arrived at the DSS office in the Aleshinloye area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state, following their release from captivity.

At press trime, only representatives of the victims’ parents were allowed access to the DSS premises, while other relatives and sympathisers remained outside the facility. (Vanguard)