The mother of a prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member abducted on the Owerri-Onitsha expressway has said her family paid N6 million to secure his release, while police attributed the victims’ freedom to a joint security operation.
The woman, whose name was not disclosed, told News Central Television on Wednesday that the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim before accepting N6 million for her son.
Her account came as the Nigeria Police Force announced that security operatives had rescued 20 abducted NYSC members in Imo State.
Speaking in Yoruba, the mother described how the family pleaded with the abductors to reduce their demand.
“Initially, they asked us to pay N50 million per head. We asked whether the amount was for all of them, but they insisted that no, it was for each person. Later, we started begging them to take N500,000. But they said no and started scaring us,” she said.
“Three days ago, they called and said we should pay N15 million. We kept begging them that all we had was N5.5 million. They said no and insisted on N6 million. So, it’s that N6 million we paid.”
She said the abductors contacted the victims’ parents and directed them to send representatives to a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to her, her husband and the victim’s elder brother went to the meeting.
“When they got to the meeting place, they asked them to send the money to an account and that when they got to Imo state, they should change the money into dollars,” she said.
The woman said her elder son was among those who took the ransom to the kidnappers and later called to confirm his brother’s release.
“It was the brother who called us this evening to say that they had handed the ransom to the kidnappers and that they had released our son. We also spoke to the boy,” she said.
She said her son’s captivity left her unable to sleep and caused her considerable distress.
“Since he was kidnapped, I have been stooling. I couldn’t sleep either. But I was relieved when I heard they had been released. It was as though the chains all over me were loosened,” she said.
The victims were abducted on October 1 when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses carrying passengers from Ibadan along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway.
A video circulated on X showed that the passengers were travelling to Akwa Ibom and Abia states in buses bearing the Abia State Government logo when the attackers intercepted the vehicles, robbed them and forced them into the forest.
Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed that the attack occurred at about 6.30 a.m. He said 10 victims were rescued immediately, while security operatives began intelligence-led search-and-rescue operations for the others.
“On Saturday, the kidnappers reportedly gave parents 24 hours to pay N1 billion for their children’s release. The demand was subsequently reported to have been reduced to N5 million per victim, totalling N100 million.
Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, to coordinate the rescue efforts.
Force spokesperson, Anietie Iniedu, said Nadada arrived in Imo with two commissioners of police, assessed the operation and issued directives to strengthen the deployment of personnel and operational assets.
Announcing the victims’ release on Wednesday, Iniedu said a joint team comprising operatives of the Department of State Services, the military and police carried out the rescue.
“The victims were rescued on 7th October 2026 at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained search-and-rescue operations. They have since been taken for medical assessment and necessary care,” the police statement said.
