Parents of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State say they paid millions of naira in ransom before their children were freed, contradicting the Nigeria Police Force’s claim that security agencies rescued the victims.
Key Highlights
- Parents say ransoms ranged from N3 million to N6 million per family after kidnappers first demanded N50 million per person.
- Some families converted the money to US dollars in Ibadan and sent it to Imo State.
- The 20 youths were ambushed on 1 October 2026 at Ogbaku, Mbaitoli LGA, while travelling from Ibadan to camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom.
- Police say a joint operation rescued them on 7 October 2026 at Amakohia Ubi Village; Imo police deny any knowledge of ransom.
- The youths arrived in Ibadan and were taken to the DSS office at Aleshinloye for debriefing.
The abduction happened six days before the reported release, while the prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Their parents’ accounts, given in interviews including with News Central Television and BBC News Yoruba, stand in direct conflict with the official security narrative.
‘I Could Raise Only N3 Million’ — Mother
One mother described scrambling for cash while fearing for her child’s life.
“I paid as much as ₦3 million as ransom while I was hoping that nothing happened to my child. I ran helter-skelter to raise the money. I eventually got the money and sent someone to deliver the ransom directly to them,” she said.
Family Converged In Ibadan To Raise N6 Million
The father of another captive said relatives formed an emergency pool to raise N6 million.
“We had to converge somewhere in Ibadan, Oyo State, to put the money together. Some of us even changed the money to dollars and sent it to Imo State to meet whoever was coming to pick it. I am excited that my son is coming back. However, how do I repay the N6 million I borrowed? I’m just a farmer,” he said.
Negotiations: From N50 Million To N6 Million
Another mother said the kidnappers opened at an “astronomical” N50 million per head.
“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 in Yoruba.
“Three days ago, they called and said we should pay N15 million. We kept begging them that all we had was ₦5.5 million. They said no and insisted on N6 million. So, it’s that N6 million we paid.”
She said the abductors told parents to send representatives to Ibadan to arrange the transfer.
“They called all the parents of all the victims. Twenty of them are in the bush. They then asked us to send three persons each to meet with them in Ibadan. My husband and my son’s elder brother went. 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. This is not a rumour. They have all been released and sent to us. His brother is among the people who went to meet with the abductors three days ago. They left with the ransom.”
She said the ordeal left her physically ill. “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.”
The Ambush At Ogbaku
The 20 prospective corps members were ambushed on Thursday, 1 October 2026, while travelling in two buses. The attack took place at Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway. They were heading to the NYSC camps in Bende, Abia State, and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Police Account
The Nigeria Police Force maintains that a joint security operation freed the youths. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the victims were recovered at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State after sustained search-and-rescue operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has rescued the 20 prospective NYSC corps members abducted in Imo State on 1st October 2026. 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 statement said.
Police said operations continue to track and prosecute the masterminds, and thanked the public for its cooperation.
Ransom Paid In US Dollars, Parent Tells BBC
In a separate interview with BBC News Yoruba, a parent who spoke anonymously said the kidnappers collected the ransom only in US dollars and denied that security agencies secured the release.
“Not a single person was responsible for securing the release of our children. The parents, alongside friends and support from people online, contributed money so that each parent could pay the amount demanded by the kidnappers,” the parent said.
The parent also claimed the Department of State Services (DSS) knew about the payment. “The DSS was involved in rescue efforts and had invited parents to assist with investigations. The DSS was fully aware that we had converted money into U.S. dollars through a local currency exchanger (aboki) before delivering it to the kidnappers. It was a huge amount of money. The money was substantial.”
Read also:
- BREAKING: 20 Abducted Corps Members Regain Freedom
- NYSC Abduction In Imo: Police Locate Suspected Camp As Kidnappers Demand Up To ₦1bn Ransom
- Police Launch Search for Remaining Victims After NYSC Bus Attack in Imo
Redeployment Demands And Palace Confirmation
One mother said her child would withdraw from the NYSC scheme if kept at the original posting, and would continue only if redeployed to a safer state such as Oyo or Ogun.
The palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, the traditional ruler of the city where the journey began, confirmed in an official statement that the victims had regained their freedom.
Imo Police Deny Knowledge Of Ransom
Confronted with the parents’ claims, the Imo State Police Command denied any knowledge of payments. Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso told Channels Television the command was unaware of any ransom for the 20 corps members or for another victim freed separately.
He said the gang broke under pressure from security forces. “The kidnappers eventually succumbed to pressure from security agencies, which combed the forest in a sustained rescue operation.”
Bosso said tactical teams forced the abductors to abandon the victims and flee, and that official pressure, not cash, secured their release.
Freed Corps Members Arrive Ibadan, Taken To DSS
The 20 prospective corps members arrived in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday and were taken to the DSS headquarters for debriefing.
They were received at the DSS office in the Aleshinloye area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area after their release. At press time, only representatives of the victims’ parents were allowed into the premises; other relatives and sympathisers waited outside.
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