•Prince Adewole Adebayo
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has demanded the immediate rescue of the Youth Corps members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.
The SDP flag bearer also called for a review of security arrangements for Corps members travelling to orientation camps and places of primary assignment.
The Frontier reports that the Corps members were reportedly ambushed by gunmen around the Umunoha axis of Mbaitoli Local Government Area while travelling from Ibadan to the NYSC orientation camp in Bende, Abia State.
10 Corps members were reportedly rescued by security operatives, while others remained in captivity.
Adebayo described the incident as an assault on young Nigerians who had committed themselves to national service and integration.
“We cannot fold our arms while the youth of this nation, who have committed themselves to national integration and service, are hunted down like game on public highways,” he said.
In a statement issued by his campaign’s Media and Communications Directorate, the SDP candidate urged the Inspector-General of Police, military authorities and Imo State Commissioner of Police to deploy all available resources to rescue the remaining victims.
He also urged the governors of Imo, Abia and Anambra states to prioritise the rescue operation over non-essential engagements.
“I am calling on the governors of Anambra, Abia, and Imo states to drop everything they are doing right now,” Adebayo said.
The SDP candidate said the safety of citizens must take precedence over political, administrative and ceremonial activities.
He further demanded a comprehensive review of security policies governing the deployment and movement of NYSC members.
Adebayo called for stronger intelligence gathering, highway surveillance and rapid-response systems to prevent similar attacks.
He said young Nigerians undertaking national service should not be exposed to preventable security risks.
The campaign organisation urged security agencies to ensure that all abducted corps members are rescued alive and reunited with their families.
