The National Union of Road Transport Workers, Osun State Chapter, has raised the alarm over growing security threats along major travel routes across the country following the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps members travelling to their orientation camps.
The union called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security on major highways and intensify efforts to rescue the abducted youths, some of whom were reportedly graduates of institutions in Osun State.
The Acting Chairman of the Osun NURTW, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, expressed concern that the incident had heightened anxiety among the victims’ families, friends and the wider community.
In a statement released on Saturday, Oyewale urged the FG, the NYSC, state governments and security agencies to take immediate and decisive measures to address the security challenges confronting travellers nationwide.
He specifically charged security agencies in the area where the abduction occurred to intensify operations aimed at locating the victims and securing their safe and unconditional release.
According to him, all legitimate means must be deployed to protect the lives of the abducted youths and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Oyewale 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.”
The NURTW boss 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.
Oyewale urged students, youths, prospective and serving corps members to remain security-conscious while travelling, avoid suspicious or unnecessarily risky journeys and promptly report suspicious movements or security breaches to the relevant authorities.
He said, “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 equally called on transport operators and drivers to remain vigilant, strengthen communication among themselves and prioritise the safety of their passengers, particularly on routes considered vulnerable to attacks and abductions.
“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 state union’s acting chairman further urged the government to strengthen security along major highways and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of drivers and other members of the transport community.
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 reiterated the commitment of the state’s national transport union to promoting safe transportation and protecting passengers, saying, “All lives matter, and every effort must be made to ensure that passengers and transport workers can travel safely across the country.”
Accoridng to The PUNCH, security agencies have delayed an immediate advance on the suspected hideout of kidnappers holding the prospective NYSC members in Imo State after intelligence indicated that the camp had been mined with improvised explosive devices.
The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, 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.
