NYSC kidnap: Released graduates get S’West posting offer

The 20 prospective corps members who regained freedom after their abduction in Imo State have been offered the option to serve in the South-West.

The graduates were kidnapped while travelling to Akwa Ibom State for the National Youth Service Corps orientation programme. They were released on Wednesday.

Saturday PUNCH reports that the survivors have now been given the opportunity to select any state within the six South-West states to continue their service year with the current batch.

A parent of one of the freed graduates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development on Friday.

“They have been given the opportunity to choose states in the South-West to continue their service with the current batch,” the parent said.

The parent also revealed that families paid ransom to secure their release, contrary to claims that it was solely a security operation.

According to her, each family paid N6m.

“As for the ransom, we eventually paid N6m each, but we wanted them freed before disclosing that,” she stated.

The claim was corroborated by relatives of other victims. A family member of one of the survivors, Joy Zainab, said relatives and well-wishers contributed to raise the ransom.

Similarly, Alirat Wahab, mother of another victim, had earlier disclosed in an interview with News Central TV that kidnappers initially demanded N50m per victim.

Wahab said after negotiations, the demand was reduced to N15m before the abductors eventually accepted N6m per person.