Five months after their abduction by bandits in Zamfara, six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have remained in captivity.
Eight NYSC members were kidnapped while travelling from Akwa Ibom to Sokoto on August 17.
Although two members were reportedly released after apparent ransom payments, the remaining six are yet to regain their freedom.
The Publicity Director of NYSC, Eddy Megwa, had previously stated that the Nigerian Army secured the release of some abductees, with ongoing efforts to ensure the safe release 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.”
