By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Ibom Peoples Congress (IPC), an advocacy group of Akwa Ibom people in the United States has called on President Bola Tinubu to move to ensure a release of the prospective Corps members abducted in Zamfara,on their way to Sokoto for national service.
The National Assembly, Governor Umo Eno, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and other Nigerians in critical sectors have also been charged to deploy every means within their powers to ensure release of the young Akwa Ibomites.
The President, Ibom Peoples Congress, Prof John Okon who made the call Wednesday in a press conference in Uyo, regretted that the youths who willingly stepped forward to serve their fatherland had been left in the kidnapper’s den for over 90 days.
Okon said IPC has sent letters to Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker House of Reps, Abbas and the National Security Adviser, to do everything within their powers to ensure freedom of the young graduates and the Akwa Ibom Transport Bus driver.
The IPC President who was flanked by Global Director of Communications of the organization, Mr Matthew Okono and a member, Mr Greg Obong, appealed to the affore-mentioned leaders to forgo political affiliations and sentiments, but to consider the traumatic effect of the captivity on the young victims and their families.
IPC which recalled that kidnap victims abducted after the prospective corps members were promptly released cautioned that “Injustice against one Akwa Ibomite is injustice to all Akwa Ibomites”
“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 stabilises.” He said.
The IPC also called on Nigerians, political and religious organizations to join voices in the call for the release of the youth corps members.
