Sign of Worsening Insecurity — Peter Obi Demands Rescue of 20 Abducted NYSC Members

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called for the immediate and safe rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling to their orientation camps.

Obi described the incident as another disturbing indication of worsening insecurity in Nigeria, expressing concern that young Nigerians preparing to serve their country could not travel safely on the nation’s highways.

The former Anambra State governor made the call in a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday.

The prospective corps members were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their respective NYSC orientation camps when gunmen reportedly attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

The victims were said to be among graduates travelling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

Parents of the abducted youths have appealed for help after the kidnappers reportedly demanded N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion.

The families said the abductors had contacted them and issued a 24-hour deadline for the payment of the ransom.

Reacting to the development, Obi said the incident had placed another burden on families already living with fear over the security of their loved ones.

He said young Nigerians should be able to travel, work and participate in national service without fear of kidnapping.

According to Obi, protecting lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of government, urging authorities to take proactive steps rather than responding only after lives have been disrupted.

“We cannot continue to regard insecurity as an ordinary occurrence or act only after people’s lives have been disrupted,” he said.

Obi also called on security agencies to arrest those responsible for the abduction after securing the safe release of the victims.

“I call for the immediate and safe rescue of all the abducted corps members and the arrest of those responsible,” he said.

Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified efforts to locate the abductors and rescue the prospective corps members.

The Imo State Police Command said operatives had used drones to locate a suspected kidnappers’ camp but delayed the planned operation following intelligence that improvised explosive devices might have been planted around the area.

The development has heightened concerns over the safety of travellers on major highways and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect Nigerians moving between states.