By George Omagbemi
IBADAN — October 11, 2026. The parents of one of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State have confirmed that the ₦6 million their family contributed as ransom has been returned.
Obasanjo and Alirat Wahab disclosed this in a follow-up interview with News Central after their son and 19 other prospective corps members regained freedom following seven days in captivity.
Alirat had earlier said her family paid ₦6 million to secure her son’s release after the victims were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway while travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
However, in the latest interview, Obasanjo said the families had received refunds but could not confirm whether the money sent through their representatives had eventually reached the kidnappers.
“The money has been returned. We just want to thank Imo for a job well done,” he said.
Alirat also confirmed that the money had been returned to the representatives who travelled on behalf of the families.
The couple did not identify who refunded the money or explain how the refunds were arranged.
The development has raised further questions about the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release and the reported ransom payments.
The Imo State Police Commissioner, Audu Bosso, had earlier said he was unaware of any ransom payment, maintaining that coordinated security operations forced the abductors to release the victims.
Police announced on October 7 that the 20 prospective corps members had been rescued in a joint operation involving security agencies. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that ransom was paid.
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