LAGOS ASSEMBLY SEEKS URGENT ACTION OVER ABDUCTION OF PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBER

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday condemned the abduction of a Prospective Corps Member (PCM), Binuyo Lateefah, and called for urgent inter-governmental and security collaboration to secure her immediate rescue.

The call followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by a lawmaker, Omolara Olumegbon, who informed the House that Lateefah was abducted on January 22, 2026, along the Kogi axis while travelling to Taraba State for her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment.

Olumegbon disclosed that the abductors were demanding a ransom of N30 million and urged the House to write to the Federal Government to strengthen security measures for prospective corps members travelling to their various states of deployment.

She also called on the House to formally engage the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government to ensure the victim’s safe rescue.

Contributing to the debate, lawmaker Noheem Adams commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to improving national security, noting that the current security situation showed significant improvement compared to previous administrations.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Ogundipe Stephen, also praised the Nigerian military for its efforts in maintaining security, but stressed the need for intensified action. He appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to engage his Kogi State counterpart for swift intervention.

Another lawmaker, Tobun Abiodun, suggested that the House, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review deployment procedures, especially the posting of prospective corps members to distant and high-risk areas, to reduce exposure to avoidable dangers.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, described the incident as deeply disturbing, lamenting that young Nigerians who had completed their education and were ready to serve the nation were being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.

Obasa emphasised the need to engage the NYSC Director-General on the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of prospective corps members from the point of travel to their places of deployment and back to their families.

He added that while he was confident the Lagos State Governor had already taken steps on the matter, efforts should be intensified by liaising with the Kogi State Government and formally writing to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in the case and prevent future occurrences.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Lateefah. Speaking on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Saliu Afusat, said efforts were ongoing to secure her release.

“Yes, I am aware. I can’t disclose details… Efforts are being made to secure her release,” Afusat said.