The Imo State Commissioner of Police has reacted to reports that a ransom of ₦6 million was paid to secure the release of an abducted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, saying he is unaware that any payment was made.
The police commissioner’s response follows a report by Vanguard in which the mother of a freed corps member claimed she paid ₦6 million to secure her son’s release from his abductors.
Reacting to the allegation, the commissioner reportedly said he had no knowledge of any ransom payment in connection with the corps member’s release.
“I’m not aware any ransom was paid,” he said.
The conflicting accounts have drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the release of the abducted corps member, with the family’s reported account raising questions about whether money was paid during negotiations with the kidnappers.
Ransom payments in kidnapping cases remain a major concern in Nigeria, where families of abducted victims often face difficult decisions while trying to secure their loved ones’ freedom.
The police commissioner’s response has added another dimension to the matter, although further clarification may be needed to establish the full circumstances surrounding the release.
