Parents of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, kidnapped three months ago while en route to the Sokoto State Orientation Camp, have united in a poignant appeal to the Federal and Akwa Ibom State governments. The meeting, held in Uyo, reflects their growing desperation and dissatisfaction with the perceived inadequacies in the efforts to rescue their children from Zamfara's forests.
Solomon Emmanuel, one of the distressed parents, voiced the collective frustration, particularly highlighting the challenges faced by families in meeting the exorbitant ransom demands of N70 million imposed by the kidnappers. Two victims were released only after their parents managed to raise the required ransom, emphasizing the urgency for government intervention.
Expressing the depth of their distress, another parent, Mrs. Idongesit, shared the anguish of not being able to communicate with her daughter since the incident. She conveyed her disappointment in the transportation company, AKTC, for not heeding warnings about the route's danger after 6 pm. Mrs. Idongesit, like many other parents, lives in constant fear following the kidnappers' recent threats to start killing the captives if the ransom isn't met.
The parents laid blame on various fronts, including the transportation company's disregard for safety protocols and the lack of communication from authorities. They questioned why their pleas for assistance, sent through different channels, including Paramount Rulers and Governor Umo Eno, remained unanswered, leaving them in a state of desperation.
Some parents revealed that they had exhausted personal resources, borrowed money, taken loans, and even sold property to gather over N30 million for the ransom, yet the children remain in captivity. The situation has left many parents sleepless and distressed, with the urgency to secure the release of their children escalating as the kidnappers' deadline looms.
Mr. Bassey, one of the affected parents, struggled to articulate his pain and worry for his kidnapped son, reflecting the toll the situation has taken on families. Meanwhile, it was noted that some parents could not attend the meeting in Uyo, as they were dealing with the shock and health concerns of their children still held by the kidnappers.
The parents concluded the meeting with a plea to government officials, including Senate President Godwill Akpabio, to urgently intervene and prevent further suffering for their children in Zamfara. Their collective plea echoes the sentiment that time is running out, and they cannot bear the thought of losing their children in the Zamfara bush
