The family of one of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State has confirmed that the N6 million it contributed as ransom has been refunded.
Obasanjo Wahab said the affected families had received their money back but did not know whether the ransom was eventually paid to the kidnappers.
His wife, Alirat Wahab, had earlier told News Central that their family paid N6 million to secure their son’s release after he was abducted with 19 others on the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway on October 1.
Obasanjo said the affected families chose representatives to handle the situation, with one person from his family and two others from different families.
“The kidnappers had asked for representatives to bring the ransom. Since they could no longer hold the corps members hostage, they let them go.”
He did not say who refunded the money or explain how it happened. However, he urged the public to appreciate the Imo State Government for its role in securing the victims’ release.
Alirat also confirmed that all the parents had received their money back through their representatives.
The gunmen abducted the 20 prospective corps members after attacking two 18-seater buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Anambra State.
The kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion before reportedly reducing the ransom to N5 million per victim, amounting to N100 million.
On Wednesday, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Anietie Iniedu announced that the victims had been rescued after seven days in captivity.
The police said operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and the police carried out the joint rescue operation in Amakohia Ubi village, Imo State.
