Atiku Calls For Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Corps Members
Atiku Calls For Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Corps Members
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government, Imo State Government and security agencies to urgently rescue abducted prospective corps members and other travellers in Imo State.
In a statement on X on Monday, Atiku described the abduction of 20 travellers as "heartbreaking," noting that although some victims had been rescued, others remain in captivity.
"I urge the Federal and Imo State governments, and all security agencies, to act with urgency and bring everyone still being held home safely," he said.
The incident occurred on October 1 when gunmen attacked two commercial buses conveying graduates from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom States, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Mbaitoli LGA.
Imo Police said 10 passengers were initially rescued and the buses recovered, but families said 20 prospective corps members were abducted. Reports say the kidnappers demanded N50 million per victim. The Inspector-General of Police has deployed DIG Operations Shehu Nadada to coordinate rescue efforts.
Atiku also drew attention to over 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa in Borno State months ago, saying they must not be forgotten.
He criticised President Bola Tinubu's administration, saying savings from fuel subsidy removal were promised for security, yet "Nigerians remain exposed to kidnappers on our roads, in our communities and around our schools."
"Young people face danger in secondary school, struggle with unaffordable fees at university, and are now targets on their journeys to NYSC camps. This is a generation being failed at every stage," Atiku said.
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