Akwa Ibom State citizens based in the United States have called on President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Nigerian Army, Police and other security agencies to deploy every means within their powers to ensure immediate release of eight Akwa Ibom youths abducted by gunmen on their way for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in Zamfara State.
The people, under the auspices of Ibom People’s Congress (IPC), United States chapter, expressed dissatisfaction that both national and state governments seem to display seeming level of complacency towards the fate of the young people who met their ordeals while obeying the call of the nation for a mandatory one year service to their motherland.
The President of the advocacy group, Prof John Okon, who made the call on Wednesday in a press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, regretted that the youths who willingly stepped forward to serve their motherland had been left in the kidnapper’s den for over 90 days.
Prof Okon stated that the group had sent letters to President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, Speaker House of Reps, Tajudeen Abbas and the National Security Adviser, to do everything within their powers to ensure the release of the young graduates and others abducted in the process.
The IPC President who was flanked by Global Director of Communications of the organization, Citizens Matthew Okono, and a member, Greg Amba Obong, appealed to the state and national leaders to forgo political affiliations and sentiments and consider the trauma the victims are facing in captivity.
He listed the abducted prospective corps members to include; Daniel Etim Bassey Ndon Ebom, Uruan L.G.A, Akwa Ibom State, who is a graduate of University of Nigeria; Uyo-Obong Victor Udofia, Nkwot Nko, Ikono L.G.A and a graduate of University of Uyo; Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan Okorombokoh, Eastern Obolo L.G.A, and a graduate of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene.
Others are: Abigail Peter Sandy, Abak LGA, graduate of Maurid Polytechnic, Mbiaso, Nsit Ibom LGA, Akwa Ibom State; Glory Etukudo Thomas Idung Uso, Eket LGA, a graduate of Heritage Polytechnic, Eket. Emmanuel Emmanuel Esudue Oruko, Urue Offong/Oruko LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Victoria Bassey Udoka, Ikpe Ikot Nkon, Ini LGA, Akwa Ibom State and a graduate of University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Also abducted are; Solomon Bassey Daniel Itu LGA, who is a graduate of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene, and the driver of the transport company, Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC).
The IPC also recalled with disappointment that victims abducted after the prospective corps members were promptly released, however, cautioned that “Injustice against one Akwa Ibom youth, is injustice to all Akwa Ibomites.”
In his words, “In view of the foregoing, IPC respectfully requests Mr. President to: Note the long-term mental, emotional, and psychological damage of the hostage situation on the corps members, their parents, family members, and even their entire communities.
“Direct as appropriate for the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police, Intelligences, and other Security Agencies to facilitate immediate release and return of the abducted corps members.
“Direct as appropriate for the government agencies responsible for working collaboratively and sharing information/intelligence with the families of the abducted corps members to assuage their hurts and heightened anxieties.
“As we can no longer allow our children to be exposed to incessant abductions, killings, etc in the course of national service, we strongly recommend the review of the NYSC Scheme to make it more responsive and adaptive to current security and economic realities of the country.
“A high powered NYSC Scheme review committee should be set up with mandate to make recommendations for possible amendment of the extant Act within one month (30 days). Such amendments should stipulate that corp members serve within their regions and travel distance to states of postings must not exceed 4 -5 hours to avoid night travels before reaching their destinations. This, however could be and or, is subject to review in future as the security situation stabilizes”.
The diaspora group also called on Nigerians, political and religious organizations to join voices in the call for the release of the young Nigerians.
Attached: pic of the President of IPC, Prof John Okon, flanked by the Global Director of Communication, Mr Matthew Okono on his right and a member of the group, Mr. Wills Obong, during the media briefing.
. TheWitness
