NYSC Kidnap: Imo CP Denies Knowledge of Ransom as Family Says ₦6m Was Raised

Virgin Times News

A fresh dispute has emerged over the circumstances surrounding the release of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and another civilian abducted in Imo State, with the state Commissioner of Police saying he is unaware that ransom was paid while a victim's family says it raised ₦6 million following demands from the kidnappers. The development came a day after the prospective corps members were rescued from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area, ending a seven-day ordeal that began when they were abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on October 1.

Imo CP: I am not aware of any ransom payment

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso said he was not aware that ransom had been paid to secure the victims' release. Bosso said security agencies applied sustained pressure on the kidnappers by combing the forest and acting on intelligence gathered during the operation. He explained that the rescue involved the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. According to him, the coordinated pressure eventually compelled the abductors to release the captives. When asked specifically whether ransom had been paid, the commissioner said he was unaware of any such payment. He maintained that the security agencies carried out their responsibilities professionally and secured the victims' release through the operation.

Family gives a different account

The police position comes against the account of Alirat Wahab, whose son was among those abducted. Wahab told News Central that her family and others had raised money after the kidnappers demanded payment for the release of the captives. According to her account, the abductors initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim. She said the amount was subsequently reduced during negotiations, eventually reaching ₦6 million for her family's share. Wahab said relatives, friends and other individuals contributed different amounts, while the family also borrowed money to raise the money. She said some people contributed amounts as small as ₦5,000, ₦20,000 and ₦50,000 before the family was able to complete the ₦6 million it was allegedly asked to provide.

Parents reportedly travelled to Imo

The mother also alleged that representatives of the victims' families were instructed to travel to Imo State with the money. According to her account, her husband and the victim's brother were among those who travelled. She said the families were instructed not to transfer the money through a bank account and that the money was instead converted to dollars after the representatives arrived in Imo. Her husband separately said the parents pooled resources, with some families contributing different amounts towards the demands made by the abductors.

What is established so far?

What is not in dispute is that the 20 prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, towards NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states. They were subsequently rescued on October 7 following a coordinated security operation. The victims were taken for medical assessment and treatment after their release, with the NYSC Director-General also visiting them in Owerri. The police have also said security personnel remain in the area and are continuing efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.

Security agencies strengthen operations

According to Commissioner Bosso, additional tactical teams have been deployed to Imo following the incident. Mobile police personnel and intelligence response teams are being used to strengthen security along the affected route and other locations identified as security flashpoints. The commissioner said the deployment was intended to prevent another incident of the same nature and improve the security of travellers across the state.

Questions remain over the ransom

The conflicting accounts have now introduced a new question into the aftermath of the kidnapping: was money actually paid to the abductors? The police commissioner says he is not aware of any ransom payment and attributes the release to pressure from security forces. A victim's family, however, says it raised and delivered money after negotiations with the kidnappers. At this stage, the two accounts remain different, and there is no publicly established evidence in the reports available to Virgin Times News that conclusively settles the issue.

Victims begin recovery

Beyond the disagreement over ransom, the immediate priority remains the welfare of the rescued graduates. The victims are receiving medical attention and are expected to be handed over to the NYSC authorities for further necessary arrangements. Their release has brought relief to their families after days of uncertainty, while security agencies continue the search for the kidnappers. The incident has also renewed concerns about the safety of major roads in the South-East, particularly routes used by young Nigerians travelling to fulfil national service obligations. Virgin Times News will continue to follow the investigation and provide verified updates on the search for the abductors and the conflicting accounts surrounding the alleged ransom payment. Virgin Times News — Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.