In a deeply distressing development, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has shared a painful update regarding the abduction of Corps members in Zamfara State. One of the abducted Corps members, who were traveling from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to Sokoto State, has been released, but the plight of the remaining seven remains unresolved.
Speaking to journalists after a stakeholder engagement event in Abuja, General Ahmed revealed the harrowing details of the abduction, which took place during the night. This revelation has sparked outrage and concern about the safety of our young Corps members.
In response to this alarming situation, General Ahmed issued a heartfelt plea to state governments. He implored them to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Corps members by enforcing a strict travel curfew, urging that all journeys be completed by 6 pm. Furthermore, he recommended that they seek refuge in NYSC lodges, military installations, or other secure locations overnight, only resuming their travels in the morning.
General Ahmed also highlighted ongoing efforts to provide palliatives for Corps members to alleviate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal. He acknowledged that several states had already initiated their own measures to support these young individuals during these challenging times.
The pain and anguish that the parents of the kidnapped Corps members are enduring are unimaginable. The knowledge that their children are in the hands of kidnappers is a torment that no parent should have to bear. Equally distressing is the mental and physical well-being of the kidnapped Corps members themselves, who are facing an ordeal that no one should ever experience.
This situation raises pressing questions about our nation’s priorities. Why are our government authorities still deploying youth Corps members to areas known for their precarious security situations? The glaring disparity between where our youth Corps members are sent and where the children of the privileged are stationed cannot be ignored. It is a topic that demands urgent attention and serious contemplation.
In the midst of this dire situation, it’s disheartening to observe that public outcry and demands for action appear to be lacking. While our youth engage in protests over various issues, the plight of these innocent Corps members remains in the shadows. Why is there not a groundswell of support and advocacy for their release?
Must we wait until a tragedy unfolds, until lives are lost, before we acknowledge the gravity of the situation? It is a painful reality that, as a society, we may have misplaced our priorities. The safety and well-being of our youth should be an unwavering commitment, and it’s high time we collectively address this pressing issue with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
