The Imo State Government says no ransom was paid for 20 abducted corps members, but their families disagree. Parents of the freed graduates say they raised millions of naira to secure the release. As a result, the two accounts now clash in public. Sojworldnews summarises what each side has said so far.
Gunmen abducted the prospective corps members on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State. They were travelling from Oyo State to NYSC orientation camps in Abia State, according to Leadership. In total, 30 people were on the buses. Ten escaped into the bush, while the gunmen took the other 20.
The Nigeria Police Force announced the rescue of all 20 on Wednesday. Officers found them in the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West. The rescue ended nearly a week of anguish for the families. Earlier, police said a drone located the kidnappers’ camp. However, officers could not enter at first because of suspected explosives, QED reported.
The government insists that no money changed hands. Imo Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso told Channels Television, “I am not aware of any ransom paid.” Meanwhile, the Imo State Government has maintained that the victims walked free without any payment.
However, the families tell a different story. Alirat Wahab, whose son was among the victims, said her family paid ₦6 million. She explained that kidnappers first demanded ₦50 million for each victim. Later, they reduced the demand after parents pleaded for mercy, according to National Update.
Wahab said relatives and friends gave what they could, with some donations as low as ₦5,000. In addition, the family borrowed money to complete the amount. Wahab described the struggle in plain terms: “we borrowed here and there,” she said, according to TG News. Her husband backed the account. He said his family paid ₦6 million, while some other families paid ₦5 million.
The parents also described how they delivered the money. Wahab said the families met in Ibadan and received instructions there. Kidnappers told them to send representatives to Imo State and convert the cash into dollars, she said. Moreover, they allegedly barred bank transfers. According to The Star, each victim needed three representatives to make the trip.
Reacting to the government’s position, Wahab’s husband spoke bluntly. “They lied!” he said, according to National Update. Furthermore, other families told News Central Television they paid between ₦3 million and ₦6 million. One mother said she sent someone to Imo State with the money.
Public reaction has also grown. During one interview, a speaker voiced confusion and concern over the ₦6 million figure. “Do you know what 6 million means for this family?” the speaker asked. The speaker also wondered how the family raised the money. In addition, the speaker asked how they will repay those who donated or lent it.
Meanwhile, the case has taken another turn. The DSS has moved the freed corps members to Ibadan, Leadership reported. The Olubadan announced their freedom after confirmation from Governor Hope Uzodinma. As a result, the families can now see their children, yet the ransom question remains open.
The parents have also made demands of their own. They urged the government to overhaul transport and security arrangements for young graduates heading to national service. In their view, the attack exposed serious risks on the roads that corps members use.
Overall, the dispute turns on one question: did anyone pay the kidnappers? For now, nobody has independently verified the ransom claims. Authorities have not publicly reconciled the conflicting accounts either. Therefore, many Nigerians still want answers about what happened behind the scenes. Sojworldnews will update this story as soon as either side offers new details.
Sources: Leadership, Tribune, QED, National Update, The Star, News Central, Channels TV.
Leave a Reply