Five months after, Nigerian govt yet to free six NYSC members kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara

Six National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members are still in captivity five months after they were kidnapped by gunmen in Zamfara.

On August 17, while traveling from Akwa Ibom to Sokoto, eight NYSC personnel were abducted.

The remaining six members have not yet been allowed to return to their own freedom, despite reports that two were set free following apparent ransom payments.

Eddy Megwa, the NYSC’s publicity director, had earlier said that the Nigerian Army had managed to secure the release of some abductees and that efforts were still underway to guarantee the safe return of the remaining four.
However, the lack of progress has intensified scrutiny and criticism of the government’s response to the abduction.

The extended captivity of the NYSC members has sparked fears for their safety, and questions are being raised about the efficacy of the government’s efforts to address insecurity and kidnappings in the country.

A relative of one of the victims, who pleaded anonymity, lamented that their wards were left at the hands of the terrorists in the forest for so long, heightening fears that they might have been killed.

Also, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned the federal government’s failure to secure the corps members’ release after five months in captivity.

The group said the only way to describe what is happening under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is that Nigeria is not just sick, but it has failed.

HURIWA said: “It is now common knowledge that whenever a citizen becomes a victim of organised and sophisticated crime, such as terrorism and kidnappings for ransom, the majority of observers would say that ‘Nigeria has happened’ to the person.”

It said: “That the current administration would just shut her eyes on these corps members and let their parents and kidnappers be negotiating for ransom; and let these Nigerians stay in the lawless Zamfara forests for five months, and yet President Tinubu hasn’t queried the Inspector-General of Police who is statutorily responsible for internal security, shows that this government attaches no importance to the lives of commoners. This is a crime against humanity.”