A community leader in Imo State, Chief Charles Obialor, has described the Alasieke forest where the abducted Corps members were allegedly taken and held hostage as a dangerous hideout.

The prospective Corps members were abducted last Thursday on Owerri-Onitsha Road on their way to Akwa Ibom State for their places of primary assignments.

Obialor, therefore, called on the Federal and state governments to take decisive steps to secure the area, including clearing the forest and improving security infrastructure.

However, the Imo State government has assured that it is working with security agencies to secure the release of.

Speaking to The Nation yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Public Enlightenment, Declan Emelumba, said the state government was collaborating with security agencies to rescue the victims.

He said: “Of course, you know that the government is not sleeping on the matter.”

The commissioner assured that efforts were ongoing to release the victims, expressing optimism that they would be rescued unharmed.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed dismay over the kidnap of graduates. It sympathised with families of the victims and proffered ideas on how to stop such incidents.

In a statement, its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said Afenifere, since as far back as 2021, had been calling on the Federal Government to review the NYSC policy to enable Corps members to serve in their states or areas of domicile.

“The idea here is to reduce the tendency by prospective Corps members to travel from one part of the country to another for the purpose of having to serve the country under the NYSC policy.

“We have repeated this call several times, especially whenever there are incidents of Corps members being kidnapped or attacked in one way or the other. Some national newspapers have even written editorials endorsing our position”, the statement read in part.

Afenifere spokesman added: “Thankfully, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in a statement on his X handle of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, announced that he has directed the Federal Ministries of Youth Development and Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and its subsidiary regulations to give legal backing to the reforms that were approved by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of Monday, June 29, 2026”.

Afenifere urged those concerned to expedite actions on effecting the amendments to the NYSC Act, so that Corps members could serve in their states or at least in neighbouring states as stated in President Tinubu’s statement.

The Yoruba apex organisation called on the NYSC to, “pending the necessary amendment of the Corps’ Act, allow graduates to serve within their states of origin, states of residence or states within their geopolitical zones. Exigency or security imperative can be cited as the reason for this if anyone challenges the organisation for taking such a step”.

The body urged federal, security agencies, Oyo and Imo state governments to quicken actions on rescuing the victims within the shortest time.

“The method used to rescue victims of Oriire abduction can be employed in a modified form in line with the peculiar situation”.

Similarly, Afenifere commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the creation of new Army formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo, and Osun states to shortening response period and bringing troops closer to vulnerable communities.

Afenifere said the increase in military bases would strengthen security surveillance and quicken responses to security emergencies.

For a lasting solution to kidnapping and banditry, Afenifere advocated the enforcement of 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, called on the Federal and Imo State governments and security agencies to secure the release of travellers, including prospective Corps members.

Atiku, in a statement on his X handle, described the abduction as heartbreaking, noting that while some of the victims had reportedly been rescued, others remained in captivity.

He drew attention to the continued captivity of over 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State, saying their prolonged detention should not continue.

The former Vice President urged the authorities to provide the affected families with clear and regular updates, while also calling for answers over the continued captivity of the children. He stressed that every effort should be made to secure their safe return.

Atiku also criticised the security situation under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, recalling the government’s earlier promise that savings from the removal of petrol subsidy would help strengthen security. He questioned the continued exposure of Nigerians to kidnappers on roads, in communities and around schools.

According to him, young Nigerians are facing insecurity, from secondary school to university and, while travelling to NYSC orientation camps. He said the situation was placing an additional burden on families and young people already dealing with economic difficulties.

Atiku questioned the award of huge pipeline security contracts to politically connected companies, arguing that ordinary Nigerians continue to face criminal threats. He maintained that protecting the lives and property of citizens remains the primary responsibility of the government.

He prayed for the safe rescue of abducted youths and return of those still unaccounted for, reaffirming his commitment to building a safer and more affordable Nigeria where the youth can create, build and prosper. (The Nation)

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