Families of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members rescued in Imo State have revealed that they had already paid millions of naira in ransom before security forces rescued the victims.
According to News Central Television, some families paid more than N3 million, while others reportedly paid as much as N6 million to secure the release of their relatives.
One of the mothers said she paid N3 million after struggling to raise the money and sending someone to Imo State to deliver it.
“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 told News Central Television.
A father of another victim said his family raised N6 million for his son’s release, with relatives gathering in Ibadan, Oyo State, to contribute towards the payment.
“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.
The 20 corps members and another hostage were eventually rescued on Wednesday by security forces comprising the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security agencies.
