Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has welcomed the release of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from the state who were abducted in Imo State, while urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle kidnapping and banditry across Nigeria.
The state government announced its relief following the release of the victims, who were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps in the South-East when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Government congratulated the governments of Oyo and Imo states, as well as the Federal Government, over the successful release of the abducted prospective corps members.
Oyelade described the victims as “our children” who had been freed from the “bondage of abduction,” noting that their release had brought relief to their families and the state government.
However, the commissioner called on the Federal Government to adopt more proactive measures to address the country’s worsening security challenges.
According to him, the Federal Government has the authority and capacity to coordinate stronger action against kidnapping and banditry and must fulfil its responsibility to protect citizens.
“The Federal Government, which has the preponderance of power and capacity to effectively nip this embarrassing development in the bud, must be more proactive and live up to its promise to keep citizens safer across the land,” Oyelade said.
He expressed concern that kidnapping and banditry continued to affect several parts of the country despite repeated assurances from the Presidency about improving national security.
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The commissioner also claimed that at least 200 Nigerians remained in captivity in forests across the country, raising concerns about the fate of victims whose whereabouts were reportedly unclear.
The prospective corps members were abducted last week while travelling in two buses from Ibadan to their orientation camps. Reports indicated that 20 Oyo indigenes were among those travelling when gunmen attacked them in Imo State.
Their release was confirmed on Wednesday, following days of uncertainty for their families and the Oyo State Government.
The state government had earlier disclosed that it was collaborating with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure their freedom. It also offered experience and operational templates from the Oriire kidnapping incident to support the rescue efforts.
While welcoming the development, the Oyo State Government renewed its call for stronger security measures to prevent similar attacks and protect Nigerians travelling on highways across the country.
