Over four months have passed since the abduction of seven prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Akwa Ibom in Zamfara State, leaving their distraught parents losing hope for the fate of their children.
The incident occurred on August 17, 2023, when a bus belonging to the Akwa Ibom State Transport Company (AKTC), carrying fresh graduates posted to Sokoto for NYSC, was intercepted by bandits. Eight passengers and the bus driver were kidnapped, with only two later released. The remaining six and the driver are still in captivity, facing a demand for a N70 million ransom from their abductors.
Despite the parents’ payment of over N30 million in ransom, the situation has taken a grim turn, with the kidnappers threatening to kill the victims one after the other unless the N70 million ransom is paid promptly. The families, overwhelmed by fear and desperation, held a street march in Uyo to appeal for assistance from the government and well-meaning individuals to save their children.
Several parents expressed frustration at what they perceive as a lack of decisive action by the government, NYSC, and security agencies to rescue the kidnapped corps members. They blamed the AKTC for the incident, claiming the transport company ignored warnings about the route’s safety.
The emotional toll on the families is evident, with some parents selling properties, borrowing money, or taking loans to raise the ransom. The victims, from different local government areas in Akwa Ibom, include an orphan and the only son of a widow who struggled to fund her son’s education. The kidnappers’ renewed threat has intensified the families’ anxiety and desperation.
Critics argue that the government’s response has been inadequate, and citizens are questioning the seeming nonchalance of Governor Umo Eno and other leaders in the state. Parents are calling for urgent support and action from government officials and well-placed individuals to rescue their children from captivity.
While security experts cite operational precautions for the lack of information on rescue efforts, some critics find the government’s stance unacceptable. The plight of the abducted corps members has sparked calls for a review of the NYSC scheme, with suggestions to deploy graduates within their region of study to prevent such incidents in the future. The National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students and other advocacy groups are adding their voices to the demand for a more responsive and adaptive NYSC scheme.
