Parents of prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps abducted while travelling to their orientation camps have appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, and other stakeholders to intervene and secure their children’s release.
The parents made the appeal on Saturday when they visited the traditional ruler at his residence in Ibadan, following the abduction of about 19 prospective corps members who were reportedly travelling to NYSC camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
The victims were said to have left Ibadan on Wednesday but were kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday while on their way to their respective camps.
The distraught parents reportedly besieged the Olubadan’s residence on Saturday, seeking his intervention and that of security authorities to ensure that their children were released alive and unhurt.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, and the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri, were also at the Olubadan’s residence when the parents arrived.
The parents subsequently appealed to the Olubadan, the Commissioner of Police and the Aseyin to intervene in the matter and facilitate the safe and timely release of the abducted prospective corps members.
The parents disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted them using the mobile telephone lines of some of the abducted victims.
One of the parents, Alhaja Alimot Akande, appealed to the traditional ruler and security authorities to act swiftly to prevent harm coming to the victims.
“They are threatening that anything untoward will happen to our children if we fail to heed their request. Baba, kindly assist us. Don’t let them kill our children.”
The parents urged the relevant authorities and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the prospective corps members.
