Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the reported abduction of about 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling to their orientation camps.The victims were reportedly among passengers travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on October 1.Reacting to the incident, Obi described the abduction as a distressing indication of worsening insecurity in the country.He said the affected young Nigerians were preparing to serve their country but were unable to travel safely, adding that families were increasingly living in fear of kidnapping.Obi called for the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted prospective corps members and urged security agencies to arrest those responsible for the attack.“
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,” Obi said.The former Anambra State governor stressed that protecting lives and property remained a fundamental responsibility of government, saying insecurity should not become an accepted part of everyday life.Meanwhile, conflicting accounts have emerged over the number of people rescued and those still in captivity. Police initially said 10 victims were rescued, while relatives of the prospective corps members maintained that 20 remained in the custody of the abductors.The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has since deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Shehu Nadada to Imo State to coordinate the search-and-rescue operation.
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.