Atiku condemns abduction of corps members, demands urgent rescue

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members in Imo State, describing the incident as “heartbreaking.”

 

Atiku, in a post on X on Monday, called on the Federal and Imo State governments and security agencies to urgently secure the release of those still in captivity.

 

The victims were among passengers travelling from Ibadan to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked two commercial buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on October 1.

 

Atiku said, “The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking. Some have been rescued, but 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.”

 

The Imo State Police Command had initially announced that 10 passengers were rescued and the two buses recovered, while other passengers remained missing.

 

However, subsequent accounts from affected families indicated that 20 prospective corps members were being held by the abductors.

 

Security agencies have intensified search-and-rescue operations, with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deploying the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, and two commissioners of police to coordinate the operation.

 

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, also disclosed that security operatives had traced the suspected kidnappers to a bush hideout through intelligence gathering and drone surveillance.

 

However, an assault on the location was reportedly delayed after intelligence indicated that improvised explosive devices had been planted around the hideout.

 

Atiku also raised concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State.

 

He said more than 70 pupils and students from the two communities remained in captivity months after their abduction, urging authorities to provide answers to affected families and secure the children’s release.

 

“In Borno, more than 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa remain in captivity months later. These children must not be forgotten. Their families deserve clear updates, and the public deserves answers,” Atiku said.

 

The ADC candidate subsequently criticised the Tinubu administration’s handling of insecurity, arguing that Nigerians remained vulnerable to attacks on roads, in communities and around schools.

 

He also questioned the government’s award of pipeline security contracts to companies he described as politically connected, insisting that the primary responsibility of government was to protect lives and property.