The father of one of eight Corps members abducted while on their way from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to their NYSC orientation camp in Sokoto State, Emmanuel Etteh, has pleaded with security agencies and the management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to take immediate action to rescue their children.
The kidnapping, which occurred on August 19, has left families devastated by the lack of communication from the authorities.
Speaking to journalists in a telephone conversation on Monday, Etteh expressed his deep disappointment with the government’s response to the over two-week-long ordeal.
“It is very devastating because, as a parent, I am very disappointed by the government. No one has been talking about or asking questions since this incident happened,” he lamented.
“Security agencies are not caring, NYSC leadership shows no concern, and everyone behaves as if nothing happened,” Etteh continued, highlighting the frustration and helplessness of the affected families.
Etteh emphasised his expectation for the Director General of NYSC to demonstrate a higher level of commitment and responsibility, stating that they had failed to meet the parents’ expectations.
He pointed out that no one from the authorities had reached out to the parents to discuss the situation or provide updates.
“Everyone went away, we are expecting the government to act, but nobody seems to act and address the nation or the parents on what happened, what the government is likely to do, or what they are doing to free these children. That is the state we find ourselves in now,” he stated.
Etteh recounted his desperate attempts to contact his daughter, revealing that he managed to speak with her just hours before learning that she was being held captive by bandits. Subsequent efforts to reach the same phone number were futile.
In an interview with Channels Television, Etteh confirmed that the bandits demanded a ransom of N4 million for the release of his daughter.
Meanwhile, a military source, preferring to remain anonymous, disclosed that a rescue team was actively combing the forest to secure the safe release of the victims unharmed.
The families of the abducted Corps Members and concerned citizens were now urging the government to take immediate and decisive action to bring the ordeal to an end and ensure the safe return of their loved ones.