The tears of relief are mixed with bitter controversy.
Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members who spent seven agonizing days in kidnappers’ den have regained freedom in Imo State, but how they got out has sparked a war of words between police and families.
ALSO READ: Shock as Nigerian mother staged her own kidnapping
Seven Days In Hell Ends In Amakohia-Ubi
It was a journey to serve Nigeria that turned into a nightmare.
On October 1, 30 prospective corps members left Ibadan for orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom in two buses. At Umunoha, Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, heavily armed men blocked the road and dragged them into the bush.
Ten escaped. Twenty did not.
For seven days, parents could not sleep, could not eat. Yesterday, the news broke: the victims had been found alive at Amakohia-Ubi Village in Owerri West LGA.
A video seen by The Nation showed them in high spirits, clutching bottled water and soft drinks, laughing nervously after days of terror. They were immediately taken for medical checks at the DSS Clinic in Owerri where NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, visited them with security chiefs.
Police: We Rescued Them, No Ransom Paid
The police said it was pure gallantry.
Force PRO, CSP Anietie Iniedu, announced that the victims were rescued through sustained, intelligence-led operations with DSS, Army, Air Force, Navy and NSCDC.
Imo Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, said: “Having gotten the locations, we moved as per our search and rescue operations. We got to the community where they were kept. The criminals fled, and we were able to rescue the victims.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma hailed the agencies for their “quick and coordinated intervention” and praised their patriotism.
ALSO READ: Oyo Kidnapping #bringbackourchildren: Makinde, protesters disagree
Families: We Paid N5m Each, Nobody Rescued Us
But families are telling a completely different story.
An Instagram relative of one victim shouted: “We paid our ransom in full. They reduced the money to N5 million, and we paid in full. No security rescued them.”
Mrs. Iyabo Akande, who led parents in Ibadan, said joy was incomplete. “The release did not come for free. The individual parents were responsible for the release in their separate ways. No government gave us anything.”
Another parent, Mr Femi Adewale, said the period was hell. Mrs Sade Oyeyemi wept: “I only want to hear her voice.”
Oyo Information Commissioner, Prince Dotun Oyelade, threw the question back: “Ask Imo government” when asked about ransom.
So who is telling the truth? Did gallant operatives storm the forest or did desperate parents empty their accounts?
The victims are free, but the controversy over their freedom is just beginning.
