On October 2, 2026, Mrs. Alimot Akande, a resident of Ibadan, Oyo State, made an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to secure the safe release of her daughter and 18 other prospective NYSC members. The 19 prospective corps members were kidnapped while traveling to Abia State on a commercial transport bus. According to Akande, her daughter was among those abducted, and she had lost contact with her following the incident.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2026, when suspected kidnappers attacked the vehicle carrying the prospective corps members between Anambra and Abia states. The victims had boarded the commercial bus in the Sango area of Ibadan for the journey to Abia State and stopped in Onitsha at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday before continuing their trip the next morning. Akande stated that her daughter had sent a brief message alerting the family to the attack, which was the last communication received from her.
Akande urged the Federal Government, NYSC, police, and other security agencies to intensify efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe release. She expressed concern and anxiety over the situation, appealing to the authorities to act quickly and bring her daughter and the other victims home safely. The NYSC has not officially commented on the incident, but the Oyo State government has condemned the abduction and pledged support for the rescue efforts.
The kidnapping of the prospective NYSC members has raised concerns about the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the southeastern region. The incident is not the first of its kind, as kidnappings for ransom have become a recurring problem in the country. The police and other security agencies have been tasked with investigating the incident and securing the release of the abducted victims.
President Bola Tinubu has been urged to take decisive action to address the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria. The President's administration has been criticized for its handling of security issues, with many Nigerians calling for more effective measures to tackle the problem. The abduction of the NYSC members has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the safety of citizens.
The search and rescue efforts for the abducted NYSC members are ongoing, with security agencies working to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims. The incident has highlighted the need for improved security measures to protect citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as young corps members. The government has assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safe release of the abducted victims.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has been urged to take decisive action to address the issue of kidnapping in the country.
- The abduction of the NYSC members has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the safety of citizens.
- The search and rescue efforts for the abducted NYSC members are ongoing, with security agencies working to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims.
