Kidnappers Demanded N50m

Author: Gist Correspondent

Kidnappers who abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State initially demanded N50 million for each victim before agreeing to accept N6 million for the release of one of them, the victim’s mother has disclosed.

The woman, who spoke to News Central Television after her son regained his freedom, said the abductors initially demanded N50 million per person.

She said the kidnappers later reduced the demand to N15 million following prolonged negotiations before finally agreeing to accept N6 million from her family.

According to her, the family initially pleaded with the abductors to accept N500,000, but the kidnappers rejected the offer and continued to threaten them.

She said the abductors later contacted the family three days before the ransom was paid and demanded N15 million.

The woman said the family told the kidnappers it could only raise N5.5 million, after which they settled for N6 million.

She disclosed that the parents of the abducted prospective corps members were directed to send representatives to Ibadan, Oyo State, to arrange the ransom payment.

Her husband and her son’s elder brother reportedly attended the meeting, where they were instructed to transfer the ransom into an account and later convert it to dollars for delivery in Imo State.

She said the family was subsequently informed that the ransom had been delivered and her son released.

The woman described her son’s period in captivity as traumatic, saying she suffered severe physical distress and could hardly sleep while waiting for his release.

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 after gunmen attacked two buses travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.

The Nigeria Police Force announced on October 7 that the victims had been rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village following sustained search-and-rescue operations involving the police and other security agencies.

The victims were subsequently taken for medical assessment and necessary care.

The mother’s account has now provided details of the ransom negotiations surrounding the release of one of the victims, while security agencies continue efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.