RismadarVoice Reporters
October 8, 2026
The mother of a prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member recently released from captivity has disclosed that her family paid ₦6 million in ransom to secure her son’s freedom.
The woman, who spoke during a television interview on Wednesday, said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦50 million for each victim before agreeing to a reduced amount following negotiations.
The prospective corps members were abducted on October 1, 2026, when armed men reportedly attacked two 18-seater buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.
Recounting the family’s experience, the mother explained that the abductors initially refused to accept anything below their original demand.
She said subsequent negotiations brought the ransom demanded for her son down to ₦15 million before the kidnappers eventually agreed to accept ₦6 million.
According to her, the abductors directed relatives of the victims to send representatives to Ibadan to facilitate arrangements for the payment.
She disclosed that her husband and eldest son travelled to the designated meeting point, where they received further instructions concerning the ransom.
The family was allegedly directed to transfer the money into a specified account before converting the funds into United States dollars in Imo State.
The woman said her eldest son participated in delivering the ransom and subsequently informed the family that the abducted victims had regained their freedom.
She confirmed that she eventually spoke with her son after his release, bringing an end to days of uncertainty over his safety.
Describing the emotional impact of the incident, the mother said she experienced severe anxiety and sleepless nights throughout the period her son remained in captivity.
She expressed relief that he had returned safely, explaining that the experience had placed considerable emotional and financial pressure on the family.
Her account provides further details about the circumstances surrounding the release of the prospective corps members, although the ransom payment and the kidnappers’ instructions have not been independently verified.
The incident has renewed concerns about the security of prospective corps members travelling across the country to participate in the national service programme.
