The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, says he is unaware of any ransom payment for the release of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and another victim abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
Bosso said the victims were freed after sustained pressure from security agencies, but the claim has been challenged by the family of one of the abducted graduates, which said N6m was raised and taken to Imo after negotiations with the kidnappers.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, the commissioner said security forces combed the forest after intelligence indicated areas where the victims were being held.
According to him, the sustained pressure eventually forced the abductors to release their captives.
“To my knowledge, no. I am not aware whether a ransom was paid,” Bosso said when asked if money was paid for the victims’ release.
The prospective corps members and another person were abducted on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, towards NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the 20 prospective corps members were rescued on October 7 at Amakohia Ubi Village in Owerri West Local Government Area following sustained search-and-rescue operations involving other security agencies.
The victims were subsequently taken to the Department of State Services hospital in Owerri for medical assessment and treatment.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, visited the victims at the facility alongside the Imo police commissioner, the state DSS director and the commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.
Security agencies have continued efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
However, a different account has emerged from the family of one of the victims.
Alirat Wahab, whose son was among the abducted graduates, said the kidnappers initially demanded N50m for each victim before negotiations reduced the amount.
She said her family eventually raised N6m after borrowing money and receiving contributions from relatives, friends and other individuals.
Wahab said representatives of the families travelled to Imo with the money after being instructed by the kidnappers.
Her husband also claimed that other families contributed different amounts towards meeting the demands.
According to Wahab, the family was informed that the victims had been handed over after the money was delivered.
The family’s account directly conflicts with the position of the Imo police commissioner, who said he was unaware of any ransom payment and attributed the release to pressure mounted by security agencies.
The circumstances surrounding the final release therefore remain disputed.
What is not in dispute is that the 20 prospective corps members and the other abducted victim have regained their freedom after spending days in captivity and are receiving medical attention.
Security agencies are now focused on tracking down the abductors, while the conflicting accounts over ransom payment have raised fresh questions about what happened during the final stage of the rescue operation.
