20 freed NYSC kidnap victims offered South-West postings after families pay N120m ransom

The 20 prospective corps members freed after being abducted in Imo State have reportedly been offered postings to any of the six South-West states, while their families say they paid a N6m ransom each for their release, according to a report by Saturday PUNCH.

A parent who spoke in confidence said the survivors could choose where to continue their service. “They have been given the opportunity to choose states in the South-West to continue their service with the current batch,” she said. The NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu, did not respond to requests for confirmation.

The graduates were abducted on October 1 on the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, while travelling in two Uko Akwa Ibom Motors buses to camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom.

Alirat Wahab, a victim’s mother, told News Central Television the kidnappers first demanded N50m per head, then dropped to N15m before accepting N6m after appeals. Relatives and well-wishers contributed the money, which was transferred through an intermediary in Ibadan.

Police announced the rescue of the graduates at Amakohia Ubi Village in Owerri West on Wednesday, but families dispute that account. Imo Police Commissioner Audu Bosso said he was unaware of any ransom payment, saying sustained pressure forced the abductors to release the captives.

One mother said she and her daughter remain hospitalised. “Both of us are in the hospital. We are receiving drips and treatment,” she said.

The incident has renewed calls to scrap the scheme, despite a June 2026 Federal Executive Council reform package that includes risk-sensitive deployment.