The Imo State Police Command has denied knowledge of any ransom payment in connection with the release of 20 prospective corps members and another person kidnapped in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, made this known on Thursday, October 8, during an interview with Channels Television.
According to Bosso, the abductors eventually freed their captives after security operatives intensified their search and mounted pressure on the gang in the forest.
He said the rescued victims had been taken to the office of the Department of State Services, where they were receiving necessary attention.
The victims were among 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom when they were attacked along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on October 1.
Another person travelling with them was also abducted during the incident.
The attack prompted security agencies to launch a joint operation aimed at locating the victims and penetrating the kidnappers’ hideout.
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At an earlier stage of the operation, the police said drone surveillance had enabled security personnel to identify the location where the victims were being held.
However, the rescue operation was delayed after the hideout was reportedly found to have been fitted with improvised explosive devices, making a direct assault risky.
The command subsequently strengthened its deployment and introduced additional operational resources as security personnel worked to secure access to the camp.
The incident had raised considerable concern among the victims’ relatives, particularly amid reports that the kidnappers were demanding ₦50m ransom for each captive.
While 10 of the victims had earlier been rescued, security operatives continued searching for those who remained in captivity.
The breakthrough eventually came on Wednesday when the remaining captives were freed from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area through a coordinated security operation.
The victims were subsequently moved to safety in Owerri, where they are receiving medical attention.