The Osun State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has expressed concern over the worsening security situation on major highways following the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling to their orientation camps.
The union called on the Federal Government, the NYSC management and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted youths, some of whom were reportedly graduates of institutions in Osun State.
The prospective corps members were travelling to camps in the South-East when they were reportedly abducted by gunmen in Imo State, raising fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerians travelling on major highways.
The development has also heightened concerns among transport operators, who regularly convey passengers through routes considered vulnerable to attacks and kidnappings.
Reacting to the incident, the Acting Chairman of Osun NURTW, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, urged the government and security agencies to take urgent measures to strengthen security on the highways and prevent similar incidents.
In a statement released on Saturday, Oyewale said the incident should serve as a warning to authorities about the need to prioritise the safety of travellers, particularly young Nigerians travelling for national service, education and employment.
He said, “This incident should serve as a wake-up call to all relevant authorities that the security of our highways can no longer be treated with levity.
“Travellers, particularly young Nigerians embarking on journeys for national service, education or employment, should be able to move from one part of the country to another without fear of being kidnapped.”
Oyewale specifically appealed to the security agencies operating in the area where the abduction occurred to intensify their operations and secure the safe and unconditional release of the victims.
According to The PUNCH, security agencies have delayed an immediate advance on the suspected hideout of the kidnappers after intelligence indicated that the camp had been planted with improvised explosive devices.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, reportedly disclosed on Saturday that operatives had located the suspected camp where the victims were being held but could not immediately move in because of the IED threat.
However, the Osun NURTW chairman appealed to the families and relatives of the abducted prospective corps members to remain calm and hopeful, while urging security agencies to deploy all legitimate means to secure their release.
“We appeal to the families of the affected prospective corps members not to lose hope. We believe that the security agencies are doing everything possible to rescue them and reunite them with their loved ones,” he said.
Oyewale also advised students, youths, prospective and serving corps members to remain security-conscious while travelling, avoid unnecessarily risky routes and report suspicious movements or security breaches to the appropriate authorities.
He further urged transport operators and drivers to strengthen communication among themselves and remain vigilant, particularly when travelling through isolated areas.
“Drivers must remain extremely vigilant, especially when travelling through isolated areas. Any suspicious movement or unusual activity should be reported immediately to the appropriate security authorities,” he stated.
The Osun NURTW boss also called on the government to increase security personnel on vulnerable highways and protect both passengers and transport workers.
He said, “The safety of passengers and transport workers must be given priority. Security personnel should increase their presence on vulnerable routes and ensure that travellers are adequately protected.”
Oyewale reaffirmed the union’s commitment to promoting safe transportation in the state and urged relevant authorities to take concrete steps to restore confidence among road users.
“All lives matter, and every effort must be made to ensure that passengers and transport workers can travel safely across the country,” he added.