Families of the 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members rescued from kidnappers in Imo State have disclosed that they paid millions of naira in ransom before learning of their release.
According to News Central Television, some relatives reportedly paid more than N3 million, while others paid as much as N6 million to secure the release of their loved ones.
DAILY POST recalls that security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other formations, rescued the corps members and another hostage in Imo State on Wednesday.
A mother of one of the rescued corps members told News Central Television that she paid N3 million after struggling to raise the money.
“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.
A father also disclosed that he paid N6 million for his son’s release, adding that relatives had to pool resources to raise the money.
“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,” he said.
While expressing relief over his son’s rescue, the father said he was worried about repaying the N6 million he borrowed.
“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 added.
