The mother of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who was recently rescued after being abducted in Imo State has revealed that her family paid ₦6 million to secure her son’s release.
The woman made the disclosure while recounting the family’s ordeal during her son’s captivity, explaining how negotiations with the kidnappers eventually led to his freedom.
Twenty NYSC members and a civilian were reportedly rescued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after being abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. The victims were rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State during a joint security operation.
According to the mother, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim. She said the family initially believed the amount was the total ransom demanded for all the abducted corps members before the kidnappers clarified that the sum applied to each person.
Speaking during an interview with News Central Television on Wednesday, October 7, she explained that the family continued negotiating with the abductors in an attempt to secure her son’s release.
She said the kidnappers later reduced their demand to ₦15 million, but the family told them they could only raise approximately ₦5.5 million.
The negotiations eventually ended with the family paying ₦6 million.
“They said we should pay ₦15 million. We kept begging them that all we had was ₦5.5 million. They said no and insisted on ₦6 million. So, it’s that ₦6 million we paid,” she said How the ransom was delivered
The mother disclosed that the kidnappers instructed the family to send representatives to a meeting point in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Her husband and her elder son reportedly travelled to the location as part of the arrangements for the payment.
She said the representatives were instructed to transfer the money into an account and later convert it to dollars after arriving in Imo State.
According to her account, her elder son was among those who physically delivered the ransom. He subsequently contacted the family to confirm that the payment had been made and that the abducted corps member had been released.
Mother recounts emotional ordeal
The woman also described the emotional and physical strain she experienced while her son was being held captive.
She said she struggled to sleep and suffered persistent distress throughout the period, adding that news of his release brought her considerable relief.
“But I was relieved when I heard they had been released. It was as though the chains all over me were loosened,” she recalled.
The disclosure has brought renewed attention to the security challenges faced by travellers and NYSC members, as well as the financial burden families can face when relatives are abducted.
However, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, reportedly said he was not aware that any ransom had been paid to secure the victims’ release, creating a discrepancy between the mother’s account and the police position.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged ransom payment and the rescue operation remain matters of public interest as further details emerge.
