Parents of a freed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member abducted in Imo State say the money their family contributed to secure his release has been returned, but they could not confirm whether the ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
Obasanjo and Alirat Wahab said their family received a refund of the N6 million they contributed.
Twenty prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 when gunmen attacked two 18-seater buses travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Anambra along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway.
The kidnappers initially demanded N1 billion before reducing the amount to N5 million per victim, bringing the total to N100 million.
On Wednesday, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Anietie Iniedu announced that the 20 victims had been rescued in a joint operation involving the police, Department of State Services and military. They were found in Amakohia Ubi village, Imo State, after seven days in captivity.
Speaking to News Central, Obasanjo said he could not confirm whether representatives selected by the families had paid the ransom before the victims were released.
He said one representative from his family and two from other families had been chosen to handle the matter but declined to provide further details, saying the families wanted to move on.
“The money has been returned. We just want to thank Imo for a job well done,” he said, expressing appreciation to the state government.
Alirat said the refunds were given to the representatives who had acted on behalf of the families.
“They returned it to those who went to represent us,” she said.
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