The parents of the NYSC 7, held captive in Zamfara for 149 days, are imploring the Federal Government to rescue their children. Abducted during a bandit interception of an AKTC bus on the Zamfara State Highway, two were released, but six and the driver remain in captivity. The abductors demand a staggering N70 million ransom, further intensifying the parents' anguish.
The victims, mostly fresh graduates posted to Sokoto for the NYSC program, have endured a painful ordeal, with families paying a total of N30.8 million in ransom. The desperation of parents, borrowing money, taking loans, and selling properties, has reached a critical point, especially as the kidnappers threaten to kill their children unless the exorbitant ransom is paid.
The heart-wrenching accounts include a victim shot in the leg upon abduction, a female released after payment of N17.2 million due to severe illness, and an orphan among those still in captivity. Parents express frustration with the perceived nonchalance of government authorities, including Governor Umo Eno and Senator Godswill Akpabio, urging urgent support.
Despite their pleas and street marches in Uyo, the families face dwindling hope and increasing fear for their children's lives. The situation has prompted criticism of the governments of Akwa Ibom and Zamfara for their perceived inaction, with citizens and experts demanding more transparency and urgency in efforts to rescue the victims.
As the NYSC 7 saga unfolds, concerns over the security of Corps members are mounting, prompting calls for a review of the NYSC scheme. Advocacy groups like Ibom Peoples Congress (IPC) and former Reps member Hon Peter Umoh emphasize the need to prioritize the safety of young graduates, suggesting regional deployments and a reassessment of the program's viability in the face of escalating security challenges.
