Parents say they raised millions of naira to secure the release of 15 abducted graduates in Imo State, as officials dispute whether ransom payments were made and calls grow to reform Nigeria’s national service system.
By Ebere Inyama
OWERRI, Nigeria — Fifteen young Nigerian graduates kidnapped on October 1 by Fulani militia along the Onitsha–Owerri highway have regained their freedom after families paid ransom, parents told TruthNigeria and other outlets. One mother said she borrowed money from multiple sources to meet the ₦6 million (about $4,400) demanded for her daughter’s release. The freed graduates were later seen walking through Amakohia‑Ubi, a remote farming community about 15 kilometers from the abduction site, disheveled and asking villagers for directions to Owerri.
“I borrowed money from different sources to complete the ₦6 million demanded by the kidnappers”, the parent told News Central TV.
“All the affected parents had to gather at a place called Adamasingba in Ibadan, Oyo state where we put together all the money we raised and thereafter, appointed representatives who travelled to Imo state to deliver the ransom”, she went on to say. “When they got to Owerri, the kidnappers told them to bring the equivalent of the total ransom in dollars and they did.”
In a video posted online by a Human Rights Activist, Mr. Chinonso Uba, on Wednesday 7 October, 2026, the victims numbering 16, including the kidnapped graduates, were seen walking along a village in Amakohia – Ubi located in Owerri west Local Government Area (county) of Imo state while residents and passersby sympathized with them.
The graduates were kidnapped at Umunoha axis of Onitsha – Owerri road in Mbaitoli Local Government Area on 1 October 2026, according to a report by TruthNigeria.
Freed 15 kilometers from point of abduction
Seven days after their kidnap, the graduates were sighted walking along Amakohia – Ubi, a remote farming community located 15 kilometers away from the scene of their abduction.
A resident of Amakohia – Ubi who identified himself as ‘Obidiegwu’ , told TruthNigeria that the graduates attracted the attention of the villagers when they asked a roadside food vendor for information about their location and the direction to a major road leading to Owerri, the Imo state capital.
“They appeared disheveled and could not speak or understand Igbo language”, said Obidiegwu to TruthNigeria. “They asked a food vendor to give them the direction to a place where they could board a vehicle going to Owerri”, Obidiegwu continued.
“Their appearance alone told the story. They communicated to the villagers only in English. The people who saw them realized that they were the prospective corps members who were reported to have been kidnapped on October 1”, Obidiegwu added.
Following repeated attacks by the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) at Amakohia – Ubi, the Imo state police command had in November, 2025, launched a search operation in that area and discovered two forest camps used as operational bases by kidnappers.
Police unaware of ransom payment
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday 8 October 2026, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, said he is not aware whether a ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
“I am not aware whether a ransom was paid”, said Bosso.
“We responded swiftly to the distress call”, he continued. “Because of the pressure we gave the hoodlums, they eventually released the prospective corps members, and we rescued them.”
Earlier in a statement on Wednesday 7 October 2026, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the prospective corps members were rescued on 7th October 2026 at Amakohia – Ubi community in Imo state following sustained search-and-rescue operations.
NYSC offers redeployment options
Following the release of the abducted graduates from captivity, the management of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly offered them the opportunity to serve in any state of their choice in southwestern Nigeria.
A parent of one of the freed graduates told Punch that the survivors were allowed to choose the states where they would continue their national service.
“They have been given the opportunity to choose states in the South-West to continue their service with the current batch,” the parent said.
Group calls for localization of service
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, is demanding immediate administrative changes to let graduates serve in their areas of domicile to stop long, hazardous interstate travels through high-risk corridors.
Afenifere came up with the demand following the recent kidnap of 15 prospective corps members in Imo state as well as the recurrence of kidnapping of corps members along the federal highways in Nigeria.
An analysis of media reports between 2024 and October 2026 showed that the 70 corps members were kidnapped across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, according to BusinessDay. The recurring attacks have heightened anxiety among prospective corps members and their parents regarding travel safety during the mandatory service year.
Ebere Inyama reports on conflict and religious freedom for TruthNigeria.
