The parents of a prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member abducted in Imo State have confirmed that the N6 million they contributed towards securing their son’s release has been refunded.

The parents, Obasanjo and Alirat Wahab, said they received the money back after their son was freed alongside 19 other prospective corps members who were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway on October 1. 

Speaking in an interview with News Central Television, Obasanjo said representatives selected by the affected families had returned the contributions collected during efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.

“The money has been returned. We just want to thank Imo for a job well done,” he said.

Obasanjo explained that three representatives, including one from his family, were selected to handle discussions concerning the release of the abducted graduates.

According to him, the representatives went to negotiate for the victims’ freedom after the kidnappers demanded that family representatives come forward with ransom payments.

However, he said the families did not know whether any money was eventually handed over to the abductors before the victims were released.

Asked whether the representatives paid the kidnappers, he replied, “We don’t know.”

He added that the abductors had requested representatives to bring the ransom but eventually released the prospective corps members.

Confirming the refund, Alirat said all affected parents had received their contributions back.

“They returned it to those who went to represent us. Every parent has received their money back,” she said. 

The family had earlier disclosed that they raised N6 million to secure their son’s freedom, amid concerns over the safety of the abducted graduates.

The incident occurred on October 1 when gunmen reportedly abducted 20 prospective corps members travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road to attend their NYSC orientation camps.

The victims were subsequently rescued and regained their freedom after security agencies conducted operations in the area. The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, had said the command was unaware of any ransom payment and attributed the rescue to sustained pressure on the kidnappers by security operatives. 

Obasanjo expressed appreciation to the Imo State Government for its role in the victims’ release and appealed to the public to move on from the incident.

“You know what, let’s forget the matter and just appeal to the Imo State Government. We should be grateful to them,” he said.