Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for the immediate rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted by gunmen in Imo State.
Obi made the call in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday, October 4, 2026, following the abduction of the youths who were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The prospective corps members were reportedly travelling in two buses when gunmen attacked them in the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.
Reacting to the incident, Obi described the abduction as another troubling indication of the country’s worsening insecurity.
“The abduction of approximately 20 prospective NYSC members travelling to their orientation camp is yet another distressing indication of the worsening insecurity in our country.
“These young Nigerians were preparing to serve their nation, but they were unable to travel safely on our roads. Families are increasingly burdened by the fear that their loved ones could fall victim to kidnapping,” he stated.
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The former Anambra governor said the government had a primary responsibility to protect citizens and should not treat insecurity as an unavoidable feature of daily life.
“Protecting lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility. We cannot continue to regard insecurity as an ordinary occurrence or act only after people’s lives have been disrupted,” Obi said.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to locate the abducted youths and ensure their safe return to their families.
“I call for the immediate and safe rescue of all the abducted corps members and the arrest of those responsible. Nigeria must become a country where young people can travel, work, and serve their nation without fear,” he said.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps, particularly on highways and routes affected by recurring attacks and kidnappings.
Obi’s intervention also comes amid continuing public concern over insecurity across the country, with kidnappers targeting travellers and other vulnerable citizens despite ongoing operations by security agencies.