Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle kidnapping and banditry following the release of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State.
The state government expressed relief after the victims, who were travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps in the South-East, regained their freedom.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, the government congratulated the Oyo and Imo state governments, as well as the Federal Government, on the release of the abducted prospective corps members.
Oyelade described the victims as “our children” who had been freed from the “bondage of abduction”.
Makinde Urges FG to Strengthen Security
Despite welcoming the release, the Oyo State Government called on the Federal Government to take more proactive steps to address the country’s security challenges.
Oyelade said the Federal Government had the greatest capacity to tackle kidnapping and banditry and should fulfil its promise to improve the safety of Nigerians.
“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,” he said.
The commissioner also expressed concern that kidnapping and banditry continued to occur in different parts of the country despite repeated assurances from the Presidency about improving security.
“It is worrisome that large pockets of kidnappings and banditry still dominate the Nigerian landscape, the constant robust assurances from the Presidency notwithstanding,” he said.
Oyo Government Raises Concern Over Nigerians in Captivity
Oyelade further claimed that at least 200 Nigerians remained in captivity in forests across the country.
According to him, the victims were abducted in circumstances in which the government appeared to lack clear information about their whereabouts.
The state government urged the authorities to strengthen security measures and prevent further abductions, particularly those targeting people travelling between states.
20 Prospective Corps Members Abducted in Imo
The prospective corps members were abducted last week while travelling from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camps in the South-East.
Reports indicated that 20 Oyo indigenes were travelling in two buses when gunmen attacked them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State.
Their release was confirmed on Wednesday, bringing relief to their families and the Oyo State Government after days of uncertainty.
Before the victims were freed, the Oyo State Government said it was working with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure their release.
The government also made available experience and templates from the Oriire kidnapping incident to support the rescue efforts.
Following the release, the state government reiterated the need for stronger and more proactive security measures to prevent similar incidents and protect Nigerians travelling across the country.
