Parents of Freed NYSC Member Confirm Ransom Refund

The parents of one of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State announced that the N6 million contributed by their family towards a ransom has been returned. Obasanjo and Alirat Wahab, parents of a freed victim, confirmed that all affected families received refunds, although they could not verify if the ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

The corps members were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway after gunmen attacked two buses transporting them from Ibadan to Anambra State. Initially, the kidnappers demanded N1 billion, later reducing it to N5 million per person, totaling N100 million for all 20 victims.

The Nigeria Police Force announced the victims' rescue following a joint operation with the Department of State Services and the military after seven days in captivity. Obasanjo expressed gratitude to the Imo State government for its role in the rescue and stated that representatives from the families negotiated for the victims' release but did not provide details on the ransom payment.