Oyo seeks urgent rescue of abducted corps members in Imo

The Oyo State Government has condemned the abduction of National Youth Service Corps members of Oyo origin in Imo State and pledged to work for their safe return. The government said on Friday that Governor Seyi Makinde had directed the deployment of all necessary resources to secure the corps members’ release and reunite them with their families unharmed. In a statement issued in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said the state was in communication with relevant security agencies, the Imo State Government and the leadership of the NYSC.

Oyelade described the abduction as a reprehensible act and said the safety and welfare of Oyo indigenes, whether inside or outside the state, remained a priority for the administration. “Our hearts are with the affected young Nigerians and their families during this difficult and emotionally trying moment,” he said. The commissioner urged the families of the abducted corps members to remain calm, saying the government was actively engaged on all fronts.

He did not provide details about the number of people abducted or identify those responsible. Oyelade also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the corps members and bring the perpetrators to justice. He said Oyo would continue working with other stakeholders to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The statement said the government stood with the victims, their families and the wider NYSC community while efforts to secure the corps members’ release continued.