A mother of one of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway has revealed that N6 million ransom was paid to secure her son’s release.
The woman, who spoke in an interview with News Central Television on Wednesday, said the abductors initially demanded N50 million for each victim before eventually reducing the amount demanded for her son to N6 million.
According to her, the kidnappers initially insisted that the N50 million demand was for each person abducted. The families reportedly pleaded with the kidnappers to accept N500,000, but their request was rejected.
She said the abductors later contacted the families three days before the victims were released and demanded N15 million. After further negotiations, the kidnappers eventually agreed to accept N6 million for her son.
The mother explained that the abductors instructed the families to send representatives to meet them in Ibadan. Her husband and her son’s elder brother were among those who went to the meeting.
According to her, the representatives were instructed to transfer the ransom into an account and later convert the money into dollars after reaching Imo State.
She said her son’s elder brother was among those who delivered the ransom and subsequently received confirmation that the victims had been released.
“They have all been released and sent to us,” the woman said, adding that she was able to speak directly with her son after the ransom was handed over.
She described the period of her son’s captivity as traumatic, saying she could not sleep and suffered severe anxiety while waiting for news about his safety.
How the NYSC Members Were Abducted
The prospective corps members were abducted in the early hours of October 1, 2026, after gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway.
The buses were reportedly carrying passengers travelling from Ibadan towards Akwa Ibom and Abia states when the attackers intercepted them and forced some passengers into the forest.
A viral video shared on social media showed the buses, which reportedly carried the Abia State Government logo.
The Imo State Police Command subsequently confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson Henry Okoye said the attack occurred at about 6:30am and that 10 victims were rescued immediately.
Security agencies then launched search-and-rescue operations to locate the remaining abducted passengers and track the perpetrators.
Kidnappers Initially Demanded N1bn Ransom
The abductors later contacted the parents of the affected corps members and reportedly demanded N1 billion for the release of the victims, giving the families 24 hours to pay.
The demand was subsequently reduced to N5 million per victim, amounting to N100 million for the remaining 20 victims.
Following the development, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Shehu Nadada, who oversees operations, to Imo State to coordinate the security response.
The police said the DIG conducted an on-the-spot assessment and reviewed the deployment of personnel and operational resources involved in the rescue operation.
20 Abducted NYSC Members Rescued
The Nigeria Police Force later announced that the remaining 20 NYSC members were rescued on October 7, 2026, at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.
The rescue operation was carried out by a joint team comprising operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), military and police.
Authorities said the rescued victims were taken for medical assessment and necessary care following their release.
The disclosure by the victim’s mother that N6 million was paid for her son’s release has, however, highlighted the financial demands made by kidnappers during the ordeal and the difficult choices faced by families seeking to secure the safety of abducted relatives.