The Acting Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Osun State Chapter, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling to their orientation camps.
Oyewale expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that graduates from institutions in Osun State were reportedly among those abducted.
The incident has heightened anxiety among the victims’ families, friends and the wider community, particularly as young Nigerians prepare to commence the mandatory national service programme.
In a statement on Saturday, the NURTW acting chairman urged the Federal Government, the NYSC, state governments and relevant security agencies to take immediate and decisive measures to address security threats along major travel routes across the country.
He specifically charged security agencies operating in the area where the incident occurred to intensify their operations to locate the victims and secure their safe and unconditional release.
Oyewale said all legitimate means should be deployed to protect the lives of the abducted youths and prevent similar incidents in the future.
He also appealed to the parents and relatives of the victims to remain calm and prayerful, expressing confidence that the government and security agencies would secure their safe return.
The NURTW chairman urged students, youths, prospective corps members and serving corps members to remain security-conscious, avoid suspicious or unnecessarily risky journeys and promptly report suspicious movements or security breaches to the relevant authorities.
He also called on transport operators and drivers to remain vigilant about their safety and that of their passengers while travelling.
Oyewale reiterated the commitment of the Osun NURTW to promoting safe transportation and protecting passengers, particularly students and young Nigerians travelling for educational, professional and national service purposes.
He further appealed to the government to strengthen security along major highways and protect the lives and livelihoods of drivers and other members of the transport community.
“All lives matter, and every effort must be made to ensure that passengers and transport workers can travel safely across the country,” he said.
