Audu Bosso, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, has stated that he is unaware of any ransom being paid to secure the release of the 20 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and another victim who were kidnaped in the state.

In an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Bosso revealed this while providing an update on the victims’ rescue.

His remarks follow reports that the kidnappers demanded N50 million for each victim, and a family member of a freed corps member stated that N6 million was ultimately paid to secure her son’s release.

The victims were freed after security personnel stepped up their search and put more pressure on the kidnappers in the forest, according to the police commissioner.

He clarified that during the operation, security personnel searched the area, compelling the kidnappers to surrender and free the victims.

Bosso claimed he was unaware of any ransom payments, but he did not verify that any had been made.

Following their rescue, the victims were brought to the Department of State Services (DSS) office and given medical attention.

On October 1, the victims were kidnaped while en route to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states from Ibadan, Oyo State.

In order to find the corps members and their kidnappers, security agencies coordinated a search and rescue effort after the incident.

Drone surveillance was later used by the police to locate the kidnappers’ hideout, but they reportedly had trouble getting to the camp after learning that improvised explosives had been placed there.

As the operation grew more intense, more security resources were later used.

The coordinated security operation resulted in the victims’ eventual release from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area on Wednesday.

While the search for the remaining victims was ongoing, police had earlier declared the rescue of ten victims.

All 20 corps members and the other kidnaped victim were safely recovered as a result of the most recent operation.

According to reports, the victims were brought to Owerri for medical care and reunited with their families.