3 hours ago
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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of prospective corps members and other travellers still being held by kidnappers in Imo State.
Atiku described the abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps, as heartbreaking, noting that although some of the victims had been rescued, others remained in captivity.
“The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking,” he said.
“Some have been rescued, but others remain in captivity. I urge the Federal and Imo State governments, and all security agencies, to act with urgency and bring everyone still being held home safely.”
The former vice president also drew attention to pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa in Borno State, saying more than 70 of them remained in captivity months after their abduction.
“These children must not be forgotten. Their families deserve clear updates, and the public deserves answers,” Atiku said.
He also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, recalling President Bola Tinubu’s argument that savings from the removal of petrol subsidy would help strengthen security and other sectors.
Atiku said Nigerians were, however, still exposed to kidnappers on highways, in communities and around schools.
“Young people face danger in secondary school, struggle with unaffordable fees at university, and are now targets on their journeys to NYSC camps,” he said.
“This is a generation being failed at every stage.”
Atiku also questioned the government’s spending priorities, citing large pipeline security contracts while ordinary Nigerians continued to face criminal attacks.
“The first duty of government is to protect lives,” he said.
He called for the immediate rescue of all those still in captivity and urged authorities to provide families with clearer information on ongoing efforts to secure their release.
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