Abducted corps members’ families get N6m ransom money back

The family of an abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member has confirmed the refund of N6 million contributed as ransom, but said it does not know whether the money was eventually paid to the kidnappers.

Obasanjo Wahab, whose son was among 20 prospective corps members abducted in Imo State, disclosed this in a follow-up interview with News Central.

His wife, Alirat Wahab, had earlier said the family paid N6 million to secure their son’s release after gunmen abducted the prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway on October 1.

Obasanjo said the affected families had received their money back but could not confirm whether the representatives sent to negotiate with the kidnappers had handed over the ransom.

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

Asked whether the ransom had been paid to the kidnappers, he replied, “We don’t know.”

He explained that the families selected representatives to handle negotiations, with one person representing his family and two others chosen from other affected families.

According to him, the representatives were sent to help secure the release of the abducted corps members after the kidnappers demanded that family representatives bring the ransom.

“The kidnappers had asked for representatives to bring the ransom. Since they could no longer hold the corps members hostage, they let them go,” he said.

Obasanjo did not disclose who refunded the money or explain the circumstances surrounding the refunds.

He urged the families and the public to appreciate the Imo State Government for its role in securing the victims’ release.

Alirat also confirmed that the money had been returned to the representatives who acted on behalf of the affected 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 abducted on October 1 when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses conveying passengers from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Anambra State.

The kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion from the victims’ families before reportedly reducing the ransom to N5 million per victim, bringing the total demand to N100 million.

The victims were rescued after seven days in captivity, with the Nigeria Police Force announcing their release on Wednesday.

Police spokesperson Anietie Iniedu said the rescue operation was jointly carried out by operatives of the Department of State Services, the military and the police.

The victims were rescued in Amakohia Ubi village, Imo State.