Families of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have revealed that they paid millions of naira in ransom before the victims were released.

While some relatives reportedly paid more than N3 million, another family said it raised N6 million for the release of their son.

The revelations emerged after the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the 20 prospective corps members were rescued by security agencies on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

The rescue operation came six days after the victims were abducted.

One of the mothers said she paid N3 million in ransom after scrambling to raise the money while fearing for the safety of her child.

“I paid as much as N3 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 Imo State to deliver the ransom,” she said.

The father of another abducted corps member told News Central Television that his family paid N6 million for the release of his son.

According to him, relatives had to gather in Ibadan, Oyo State, to raise the money, while some of the funds were converted to dollars and sent to Imo State for delivery.

“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.

The 20 prospective corps members, who were travelling from Ibadan to Bende in Abia State and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, were abducted on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

They were kidnapped at Ogbaku in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, while travelling in two buses.

On Wednesday, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the victims were rescued at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State following sustained search-and-rescue operations involving other security agencies.

Parents of abducted corps members at Olubadan’s residence
Parents of abducted corps members at Olubadan’s residence to seek in urgent intervention

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, in a statement, said the victims had been taken for medical assessment and necessary care following their rescue.

He added that security agencies were still working to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

“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 police said.

This was just as the Force said efforts were ongoing to arrest the masterminds of the abduction, adding that coordinated operations would continue until all those culpable were brought to justice.

The police also appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and support during the rescue operation.

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