Defense and Security

UPDATE: Imo NYSC Kidnap: Mother Says She Paid N6m Ransom Before Joint Security Team Rescued Son, 20 Others

Published

3 weeks ago

October 7, 2026

The above picture is for illustration purposes

The mother of one of the prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members rescued in Imo State has revealed that she paid N6 million ransom to secure her son’s release, hours before a joint security team announced the rescue of 21 victims.

The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 after gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.

The woman, who spoke in an interview with News Central Television on Wednesday, said the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million for each victim before reducing the ransom for her son to N6 million.

“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.

She said the kidnappers later demanded N15 million, but eventually accepted N6 million after further negotiations.

BACKGROUND

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BigPen had earlier reported that a joint team comprising the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security agencies rescued 20 prospective NYSC corps members and a civilian abducted in Imo State.

A joint team comprising the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security agencies has rescued 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and a civilian abducted in Imo State.

The victims were rescued by a joint team comprising the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security agencies.

The operation was launched after the victims were reportedly abducted while travelling through the state, prompting security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue them.

Security sources said the rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at a DSS facility.

Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and apprehend other suspects who may have been involved in the incident.