The mother of one of the rescued prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disclosed that she paid ₦6 million to kidnappers to secure her son’s release.
The woman, whose identity was not revealed, said the abductors initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim before eventually agreeing to accept ₦6 million for her son.
The prospective corps members were reportedly kidnapped on October 1, 2026, when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.
Speaking during an interview with News Central Television on Wednesday, the mother recounted the difficult negotiations with the kidnappers and the financial pressure the family faced while trying to secure her son’s freedom.
According to her, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million for each abducted person. When the parents questioned the amount, the kidnappers insisted that the sum was required for every victim individually.
She explained that the families pleaded with the abductors to accept ₦500,000, but their request was rejected. Instead, the kidnappers continued to threaten and intimidate them.
The mother said the situation became more intense when the kidnappers contacted them three days before the victims were released and demanded ₦15 million.
She said her family told the abductors they could only raise ₦5.5 million. However, the kidnappers refused the offer and insisted on receiving ₦6 million.
“We kept begging them that all we had was ₦5.5 million. They said no and insisted on ₦6 million. So, it was that ₦6 million we paid,” she explained.
Family members delivered ransom
The woman disclosed that the kidnappers instructed the parents of the abducted victims to send representatives to meet them in Ibadan to facilitate the ransom payment.
According to her, the abductors asked each family to send three representatives for the meeting. Her husband and elder son were among those who went to meet the kidnappers.
She said the representatives were instructed to transfer the money into a bank account. They were also told to convert the money into dollars when they arrived in Imo State.
The mother confirmed that her elder son was part of the delegation that met the kidnappers and delivered the ransom.
She said the family received the news of her younger son’s release after the ransom had been handed over.
“It was his brother who called us that evening to say they had handed the ransom to the kidnappers and that they had released our son. We also spoke to the boy,” she said.
The mother insisted that the release was genuine, adding that the rescued victims had been handed over to their families.
Mother recounts emotional ordeal
The woman also described the emotional and physical distress she experienced while her son remained in captivity.
She said the incident left her traumatised, unable to sleep and suffering from persistent stomach problems throughout the period of his abduction.
According to her, the news of her son’s release brought enormous relief after days of anxiety and uncertainty.
She described the feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her.
The rescue of the prospective corps members has brought relief to their families, although the mother’s account has also highlighted the financial and emotional difficulties faced by relatives of kidnapping victims.
Meanwhile, a separate report quoted the Imo State Commissioner of Police as saying the police were unaware of any ransom payment, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the negotiations and the victims’ release.
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