Kidnapped NYSC Member Reveals ₦1 Million Ransom Payment for Release

Esther Akande, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with Call-up No.: NYSC/IFE/2023/201810 (Batch B stream 2), who was abducted on Wednesday, August 16, while en route to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Magaji Dan Yanusa Keffi, Nasarawa State, and later released on Saturday, August 19, has disclosed that her captors demanded and received a ₦1 million ransom for her freedom.

According to family sources, the kidnappers had initially demanded the ransom of ₦1 million. The police response was perceived as indifferent, while the NYSC advised the family to comply with the kidnappers’ demands.

In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, Esther provided a detailed account of her abduction and subsequent release.

Esther narrated, “I was on my way to camp, and our driver handed us over to another driver at Lokoja. As we were about to enter Abaji, armed men intercepted us, shot the driver and another passenger. They dragged me and another lady into the bush while the car was upside down and emitting smoke.”

“We were in the bush for four days and were tortured. I was released on Saturday after my parents paid ₦1 million ransom. The kidnappers initially demanded ₦300 million, then reduced it to ₦100 million, and finally to ₦1 million after negotiation.”

After her release, she was taken to the NYSC camp and received medical treatment. Although her aunt informed the police, Esther was not taken into custody after her release, and the police were not involved in the transaction process.

NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, denied the payment of the ₦1 million ransom to the kidnappers, stating that Esther’s release was facilitated through pleas and the combined efforts of security agencies and the NYSC.

Esther’s father, Mr. Akande, also refuted the payment of ransom, despite his daughter’s account, affirming that her release was achieved through prayers and negotiation, though he acknowledged the provision of transportation.

Contrary to the NYSC’s denial, a family source confirmed that Esther’s release was secured through the payment of ₦1 million ransom. The source revealed that contributions from fellow corps members, undergraduates, and staff members from Adeyemi College of Education, Esther’s alma mater, helped raise over half of the ransom.

Addressing the discrepancy, the source questioned why the kidnappers were not apprehended, and why the family had to deliver the ransom in person. The source maintained that the ransom was indeed paid for Esther’s release.