Summary: Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Bosso, has distanced himself from reports of ransom payment following the release of 20 abducted corps members and one other person in Imo State.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Bosso, has left many Nigerians with more questions than answers after revealing that he has no knowledge of whether any ransom was paid to secure the release of the 20 abducted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and one other individual who were recently held captive in the state.
The statement has raised eyebrows across the country, especially among Nigerians who are already frustrated with the rising wave of kidnappings targeting young graduates serving their fatherland through the mandatory one-year NYSC programme.
“I Am Not Aware” — CP Bosso Speaks
The Imo CP’s admission that he — the highest-ranking police officer in the state — is unaware of whether a ransom exchange took place has sparked serious concern. For many Nigerians, this raises a critical question: if the Commissioner of Police himself doesn’t know how these young Nigerians regained their freedom, then who does?
Kidnapping for ransom has become an alarming reality in several parts of Nigeria, and corps members — many of whom are fresh graduates posted far from home — have increasingly become soft targets for criminal elements.
Corps Members Serving Nigeria, Paying With Their Safety
The 20 corps members and one other person were abducted in Imo State, a situation that sent shockwaves through families across Nigeria. Parents who had reluctantly allowed their children to serve in states far from home were once again reminded of the dangerous environment in which many Nigerian youths are expected to fulfil their civic duty.
The NYSC scheme, established to foster national unity and development, has faced growing criticism over its inability to guarantee the safety of corps members deployed to high-risk areas.
Nigerians Deserve Answers
Whether ransom was paid or not, the bigger conversation that needs to happen is around the security of corps members serving in volatile states. It is not enough to celebrate the release of these young Nigerians — authorities must be transparent about the circumstances surrounding their freedom and, more importantly, take concrete steps to prevent future abductions.
As Nigerians would say, “E no go do like this forever” — the government must rise to its responsibility of protecting its citizens, especially those sacrificing their time to serve the nation.
The full details surrounding the release of the abducted corps members remain unclear as investigations continue.
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