The 20 prospective corps members abducted in Imo State have reportedly been allowed to choose any of the six South-West states for their national service following their release.
A parent of one of the corps members told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that the graduates had been given the option to continue their service in any South-West state under the current National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, batch.
A relative of another corps members, Joy Zainab, confirmed that family members and well-wishers contributed towards the ransom.
She expressed gratitude to those who prayed for the victims, shared their stories and provided financial assistance.
The accounts supported an earlier statement by Alirat Wahab, the mother of another victim, who said the kidnappers initially demanded N50m for each captive before reducing the amount to N15m and eventually accepting N6m.
Speaking to News Central Television, Wahab said her family pleaded with the abductors to accept a lower amount before they agreed to the final sum.
She said relatives and other Nigerians contributed towards the payment, adding that the kidnappers directed the families to send representatives to Ibadan, Oyo State, to meet an intermediary.
The money was transferred to a designated account, while the representatives were instructed to convert it to US dollars upon arrival in Imo State.
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The victims were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
They were travelling in two commercial buses operated by Uko Akwa Ibom Motors and were reportedly heading to Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The Imo State Police Command announced on Wednesday that security operatives had rescued the 20 graduates at Amakohia Ubi Village in the Owerri West Local Government Area.
However, the families disputed the police account, insisting that ransom payments secured the victims’ freedom.
Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso said he was unaware of any ransom payment and maintained that sustained security pressure forced the kidnappers to release the victims.
Following their release, the graduates were taken to the Department of State Services hospital in Owerri for medical evaluation.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, visited them alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.
Meanwhile, the NYSC had not confirmed the reported option for the graduates to choose South-West postings.
Punch News
