By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Parents of the eight Nigeria Youths Service Corps (NYSC) from Akwa Ibom kidnapped by bandits in Zamfara yesterday staged a peaceful protest to the state House of Assembly to appeal for the intervention of the state government.
The victims were on their way via an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus to Abuja, en-route Sokoto, but were intercepted by armed hoodlums in Zamfara state, three days ago, forcing distraught parents to protest to the state House of Assembly to draw government attention to the incident.
House Speaker, Mr Udeme Otong, who addressed the protesting parents calmed their frayed nerves in a closed meeting in his office, persuading them to calm down as the state government has waded into the matter.
Speaking in an interview, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who blamed the incident on the general situation of insecurity in the country, assured that the state government has began talks with their Zamfara State counterparts and security agencies in that state with a view to securing the safe release of the kidnapped victims.
“The incident is borne out of the general situation of insecurity in the country. Government is aware of the incident, and is in touch with both the government of the state where the incident happened, and the security apparatus in the state.
“But being a security operation, government cannot say so much until the people who are being held hostage have been released. So, we understand the parents are feeling so extremely bad, but unfortunately because of its security nature, we can’t even share more information.
“What I can tell for now is that government is aware, and is in – charge, and on top of the situation. We are appealing to the parents to exercising a little bit of patience, and continue to support government with prayers; that is the only option available for them now.” He said.
