Frequent kidnapping of prospective corps members causes panic among Akwa Ibom students

Students at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State raised the alert about another abduction of potential corps members from the state over the weekend.

Residents had expressed grave alarm about the abductions, which had almost all occurred at the same time.

According to a latest media report, nineteen prospective corps members were kidnapped on their route to Zamfara and Kogi States via the Akwa Ibom State-owned transport business, AKTC, over a three-month period (August-November).

The first occurred on August 19, 2023, when eight corps members were abducted on a highway in Zamfara State while en route to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Sokoto.

One month later, one individual was rescued with the assistance of security agencies, according to NYSC management, while the rest remain in captivity to this day.

Despite the NYSC’s assurance that the other victims will be rescued, the promise’s fulfillment remains uncertain three months later, with no progress update.

The victims’ parents have lamented the government’s abandonment and negligence, claiming that they sold their properties to raise N13 million, which they offered to the kidnappers in exchange for the release of their children, but the kidnappers collected that ransom and held their captives hostage, demanding an additional N100 million.

Then there was the kidnapping of another group of 11 corps members who boarded the AKTC bound for the NYSC Orientation camp in Kogi State in early November 2023.

It is unclear whether the 11 have been freed, but our source learned that the most of the captives have been released thanks to the personal efforts of their various families, who have parted with millions of Naira.

“Nigeria is a lost country,” claimed one of the abducted corps members’ parents, who did not want his name published. Just hope nothing like this happens to you because our government does not care about us.

“My daughter was one of the 11 corps members abducted in Kogi State.” It was a horrific event because I was with my wife when I was contacted, and my wife fainted as soon as she heard the news. I was only hoping that nothing bad happened to her.”

When asked if he contacted the police, he replied, “Of course, we contacted security agencies, and they did their best, but I needed to get my daughter out of the den as soon as possible.”

“I thank God that some other parents banded together and paid N2.8 million, while others paid N2 million in ransom to those guys before they released our children.” It was a dreadful experience.”

In response to the situation, the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students, University of Uyo, encouraged the Federal administration, the Akwa Ibom State administration, security agencies, the National Assembly, and the Directors of NYSC to step up and address the current crisis.

In a statement signed by the association’s leadership, the students requested the relevant authorities to put in place all strategic tools within their ability to rescue their colleagues from the abductors and return them safely home.

They also advocated for a long-term solution to the kidnapping of corps members by beefing up security on roads connecting states and stationing students in their areas of study.

“Our attention has been drawn to the abduction of yet another set of Akwa Ibom State Students on their way to orientation camp in Kogi,” the message said.

“The constant attacks on our students have heightened the University community’s anxiety and fear, particularly among students awaiting posting.”

“As Nigerian students, we believe this situation is highly inhumane and unfair.” Our lives and safety are vital, and the federal government, security agencies, state governments, and all other authorities should be concerned.

“We are calling on the FG, IGP, Minister of Education, Senate president, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, NYSC, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to rise up to this challenge affecting our youth corpers and by extension the university community.”

However, in an interview, some young graduates awaiting their NYSC mobilization voiced concern about the tragedy, praying that they would not be assigned to the North.

Cynthia Chidera stated that corps members have become “endangered species” in the North, stressing that traveling by land to the North as a corps member was extremely dangerous.

She encouraged the federal government to investigate the situation as soon as possible before the next posting, noting that the previous two posts saw the kidnapping of 19 prospective corps members and wondering what would happen in the following batch.

(Credit: Daily Post)