NDC Presidential candidate, Peter Obi
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for the immediate rescue of about 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) reportedly abducted while travelling to their orientation camp, warning that insecurity must never be accepted as a normal part of life in Nigeria.
Obi made the call on Sunday in a post on his official social media page, where he described the reported abduction as another painful reminder of the country’s security challenges.
According to him, the victims were young Nigerians preparing to serve their fatherland but could not complete their journey safely because of insecurity on the nation’s roads.
He said the incident has left many families living in fear over the safety of their loved ones.
“The abduction of approximately 20 prospective NYSC members travelling to their orientation camp is yet another distressing indication of the worsening insecurity in our country. These young Nigerians were preparing to serve their nation, but they were unable to travel safely on our roads. Families are increasingly burdened by the fear that their loved ones could fall victim to kidnapping.”
Obi stressed that protecting the lives and property of citizens remains the primary responsibility of government, adding that insecurity should not be treated as an everyday occurrence.
“Protecting lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility. We cannot continue to regard insecurity as an ordinary occurrence or act only after people’s lives have been disrupted.”
The former Anambra State governor urged security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted corps members and bring those behind the incident to justice.
> “I call for the immediate and safe rescue of all the abducted corps members and the arrest of those responsible. Nigeria must become a country where young people can travel, work, and serve their nation without fear.”
The reported abduction has again drawn attention to concerns over the safety of travellers on some Nigerian highways, particularly young people moving across the country for national assignments.
The NYSC scheme, established in 1973, is designed to promote national unity by posting graduates to states outside their places of origin for one year of national service. However, recurring cases of kidnappings and attacks on highways have continued to raise concerns about the safety of corps members and other travellers across the country.
