The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Osun State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted while travelling to their orientation camps.
The union also urged authorities to strengthen security along major highways across the country to prevent further attacks on travellers.
The Acting Chairman of the Osun NURTW, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, said the abduction had heightened concerns among the victims’ families, friends and the wider community, particularly as some of the affected youths were reportedly graduates of institutions in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Oyewale urged the Federal Government, NYSC, state governments and security agencies to take decisive measures to address security threats along major travel routes.
He specifically called on security agencies operating in the area where the abduction occurred to intensify efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe and unconditional release.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call to all relevant authorities that the security of our highways can no longer be treated with levity,” Oyewale said.
He urged travellers, particularly young Nigerians travelling for national service, education and employment, to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security authorities.
Oyewale also appealed to the families of the abducted prospective corps members to remain calm and hopeful, expressing confidence that security agencies would secure their release.
He further urged transport operators and drivers to maintain vigilance, strengthen communication among themselves and prioritise passenger safety, especially on routes considered vulnerable to attacks and abductions.
The NURTW chairman called on the government to increase security personnel and patrols on vulnerable highways, stressing that the safety of passengers and transport workers must be prioritised.
Meanwhile, security agencies have reportedly delayed an immediate operation against the suspected hideout of the kidnappers holding the prospective corps members in Imo State following intelligence that the camp had been fitted with improvised explosive devices.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, disclosed on Saturday that operatives had located the suspected camp but could not immediately move against the kidnappers because of the reported IED threat.
