VIDEO: Abducted NYSC member appears in video, denies rumoured death

An abducted member of the National Youth Service Corps, identified simply as Abba, has appeared in a new video released by his captors, dismissing earlier reports that he had been killed.

The video, which surfaced on Sunday, showed the corps member alive and speaking from what appeared to be the kidnappers’ hideout.

In the footage, Abba said the recording was made on the 19th day of Ramadan, contradicting claims by his family that he might have been killed after communication with the abductors suddenly stopped.

The family had earlier expressed fears that the corps member was dead after they reportedly paid a ransom of N10 million to the kidnappers without receiving any further information about his condition.

They had also conducted a funeral prayer in absentia, known as Janaza Gha’ib, in line with Islamic rites following the prolonged silence from the abductors.

However, the newly released video suggests that the corps member remains alive while still in captivity.

Sources familiar with the situation said the kidnappers were making fresh demands for his release, including the provision of two motorcycles.