A parent of one of the survivors told reporters that the graduates had been allowed to choose their preferred states for the current service batch.
The development followed the abduction of the prospective corps members on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. They were travelling in two commercial buses to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen seized them.
The victims regained their freedom on October 7 after seven days in captivity. Their release was announced by the police, who said a joint operation involving security agencies had secured their rescue.
However, relatives told reporters that they paid ₦6m in ransom for each captive, with family members and well-wishers contributing towards the payments. The police maintained that the release followed sustained search-and-rescue operations, while the Imo State police commissioner said he was unaware of any ransom payment.
The reported South-West posting option comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to orientation camps. The recurring abductions have also intensified calls for stronger security measures and a review of NYSC deployment policies.
The NYSC had not publicly confirmed the reported posting arrangement as of the time of the report.
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Summary
Twenty prospective corps members freed after being abducted in Imo State have reportedly been offered the option of continuing their national service in any of the six South-West states. Families say they paid ₦6m per victim in ransom. Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members who were released after being abducted in Imo State have reportedly been offered...
Key takeaways
- Twenty prospective corps members freed after being abducted in Imo State have reportedly been offered the option of continuing their national service in any of the six South-West states.
- Families say they paid ₦6m per victim in ransom.
- Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members who were released after being abducted in Imo State have reportedly been offered the opportunity to continue their national service in any of the six South-West states.A parent of one of the survivors told reporters that the graduates had been allowed to choose their preferred states for the current service batch.The development followed the abduction of the prospective corps members on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
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Twenty prospective corps members freed after being abducted in Imo State have reportedly been offered the option of continuing their national service in any of the six South-West states. Families say they paid ₦6m per victim in ransom. Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members who were released after being abducted in Imo State have reportedly been offered...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 10, 2026
