Families of the 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members recently rescued in Imo State have disclosed that they paid millions of naira in ransom before learning that the abducted corps members had been freed.
According to News Central Television, some relatives paid more than N3 million, while others reportedly parted with as much as N6 million to secure the release of their loved ones.
The corps members were rescued on Wednesday by security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security formations. Another hostage was also rescued during the operation.
•Rescued prospective corps members
A mother of one of the rescued corps members told News Central Television that she paid N3 million in ransom while desperately trying to raise the money for her child’s release.
“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 rescued corps member said his family paid N6 million to secure his son’s release.
According to him, relatives had to gather in Ibadan, Oyo State, to raise the money, with some contributing funds and others converting the money to dollars before it was sent to Imo State.
“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.
