OYO URGES FG TO INTENSIFY AGAINST KIDNAPPERS AFTER RELEASE OF CORPS MEMBERS
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The Oyo State Government has expressed relief over the release of 20 NYSC members who were kidnapped while traveling to their orientation camps in Imo State. However, they have also asked the Federal Government to work harder to deal with the ongoing problem of kidnappings and banditry in the country.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, made the call while reacting to the release of the prospective corps members by their abductors on Wednesday, saying the development had brought relief to the state government, the affected families and the people of Oyo State.
Oyelade said, “Oyo State Government is relieved at the release of our children from the bondage of abduction once again.”
He congratulated the Imo and Oyo State Governments, as well as the Federal Government, over the release, while stressing that the development should also serve as a reminder of the need for stronger and more coordinated action against the growing insecurity in the country.
“We congratulate the Imo and Oyo State Governments and the Federal Government too,” he said.
The commissioner, however, said the Federal Government, which he described as having the greatest constitutional powers and capacity to address the security challenge, needed to do more to prevent such incidents from recurring.
According to him, “The Federal Government, which has the preponderance of power and capacity to effectively nip this embarrassing development in the bud, must be more proactive and live up to its promise to keep citizens safer across the land.”
Oyelade said he was worried that even though the government kept promising to make the country safer, kidnapping and banditry are still happening in many areas.
He said it’s concerning that a lot of these crimes are still common in Nigeria, no matter how much the government talks about solving the problem.
He also mentioned that many Nigerians are still being held in forests around the country. He believes that the ongoing kidnappings show the need for better security actions.
“At the last count, not less than 200 Nigerians are still languishing in forests, abducted in circumstances in which government appears to have no clue,” the commissioner said.
The 20 prospective corps members were abducted while travelling to Imo State for the NYSC orientation exercise, causing anxiety among their families and loved ones and prompting efforts to secure their release.
Their release was confirmed on Wednesday by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who received the information from Imo State Governor, Mr. Hope Uzodinma, during a telephone conversation at about 5pm.
The development was conveyed to the Olubadan by Governor Uzodinma personally, according to a statement by the monarch’s media aide, Adeola Oloko.
The Olubadan, who had closely monitored developments surrounding the abduction, expressed relief following confirmation that the prospective corps members had regained their freedom.
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