LAFIA, Nigeria – Esther Akande, an NYSC member abducted en route to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Nasarawa State, has revealed that her family paid a ₦1 million ransom for her release.
The kidnappers initially demanded a staggering ₦300 million, which was subsequently negotiated down.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, saw the kidnappers ambush her vehicle, resulting in the death of the driver and another passenger.
Esther described her harrowing four-day ordeal in the kidnappers’ custody, saying she and another abducted woman were tortured.
Though Esther’s father and the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, deny that a ransom was paid, a source close to the family stated otherwise.
According to the insider on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, Adeyemi College of Education, the institution from which Esther graduated, played an instrumental role in raising over half of the demanded ₦1 million.
Amid these conflicting accounts, the primary concern is the growing insecurity in the country, exemplified by Esther’s kidnapping.
Questions arise over the efficacy of security agencies and the increasing instances of kidnapping, particularly for ransom.
While the victim has been released and is said to be in good health, the broader implications of this incident will surely dominate discussions in the coming days.
The security agencies’ role and responsibility in such cases, as well as the NYSC’s duty to ensure the safety of its corps members, will likely be under scrutiny.
