The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) strongly condemns the reported abduction of 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Kogi State and demands their immediate and unconditional release.
HURIWA is shocked and angry that young Nigerians serving their country can still be kidnapped on Nigerian highways without an effective system to protect them.
The corps members were reportedly abducted on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while returning from the NYSC orientation camp in Bayelsa State and travelling towards Abuja.
They were reportedly intercepted by armed men along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
This is another painful reminder of the serious failure to protect NYSC members across the country.
For years, Nigerians have watched helplessly as corps members are kidnapped, attacked and killed while travelling to their places of primary assignment. Yet, there appears to be no lasting solution from the Federal Government.
How many more corps members must be kidnapped before the government wakes up?
HURIWA says this latest incident is one more reason Nigerians are demanding a serious review of the NYSC scheme.
If the Nigerian state cannot guarantee the safety of young Nigerians, why should these youths be forced to travel through highways known to be dangerous?
Why can’t corps members travelling from high-risk areas be transported by air to safer locations before continuing their journeys to their places of primary assignment?
The government cannot keep posting young Nigerians to dangerous areas and then leave them to face armed kidnappers on the highways.
That is unacceptable.
HURIWA condemns this level of government insensitivity in the strongest terms.
We demand the immediate rescue of all the abducted corps members, alive and unharmed.
The security agencies must not allow this matter to become another forgotten kidnapping case. The search and rescue operation must continue until every victim is found and brought home safely.
HURIWA also demands a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible.
The Federal Government must urgently review the movement of corps members across the country and introduce safer transportation arrangements, including air transport where necessary.
Young Nigerians should not have to choose between serving their country and staying alive.
The Federal Government must act now. Enough is enough.
Signed,
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
28t August, 2026
