Abducted NYSC Members: Osun NURTW Decries Insecurity on Highways

The Osun State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers has raised concerns over growing insecurity on Nigeria’s highways following the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling to their orientation camps.

The union called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security along major highways and intensify efforts to rescue the abducted youths, some of whom were reportedly graduates of institutions in Osun State.

The Acting Chairman of the Osun NURTW, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, said the incident had increased anxiety among the victims’ families, friends and the wider community.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Oyewale urged the Federal Government, NYSC, state governments and security agencies to take immediate measures to address security challenges facing travellers across the country.

He specifically called on security agencies operating in Imo State to intensify efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe and unconditional release.

Oyewale said the incident should serve as a wake-up call to authorities over the security of highways, stressing that Nigerians travelling for national service, education or employment should be able to move between states without fear of abduction.

He also appealed to the victims’ parents and relatives to remain calm and hopeful, expressing confidence that security agencies would secure the safe return of the abducted youths.

The union urged students, young people and prospective and serving corps members to remain security-conscious when travelling, avoid unnecessarily risky routes and promptly report suspicious movements to security authorities.

Oyewale also advised transport operators and drivers to remain vigilant, strengthen communication among themselves and prioritise the safety of passengers, particularly when travelling through isolated areas.

He urged drivers to immediately report suspicious activities and movements along vulnerable routes to the appropriate security agencies.

The NURTW chairman further called for increased security presence on major highways to protect passengers, drivers and other transport workers.

His comments came as security agencies continued efforts to rescue prospective corps members abducted in Imo State.

The victims were reportedly travelling to NYSC orientation camps when gunmen attacked their vehicles along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.

Security agencies have since located a suspected hideout where the victims are believed to be held, but an immediate raid has been delayed by intelligence indicating that the camp may have been planted with improvised explosive devices.

The Osun NURTW said the safety of travellers and transport workers must remain a priority, urging authorities to take stronger measures to prevent similar incidents.