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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded the immediate and safe rescue of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other travellers reportedly abducted in Imo State, urging the Federal Government to deploy its full intelligence and security capabilities to secure their release.
HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, said the reported discovery of the kidnappers’ forest hideout and the presence of improvised explosive devices around the camp had made the rescue operation an urgent national security priority.
The group warned that the presence of explosives in the area must not become an excuse for prolonged delay in rescuing the victims.
“HURIWA demands the immediate and safe rescue of the 19 prospective NYSC members and other travellers abducted in Imo State,” the association said.
“We urge the Federal Government to deploy every available intelligence, security asset and specialist capability to secure their release.”
According to the organisation, the reported location of the kidnappers’ hideout provides an opportunity for security agencies to intensify intelligence-led efforts to rescue the victims while avoiding actions that could endanger their lives.
“The reported discovery of the kidnappers’ forest hideout, coupled with the revelation that the camp has been surrounded by improvised explosive devices, makes the rescue operation an urgent national security priority,” HURIWA said.
The association called on the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Nigerian Air Force to establish a coordinated rescue command involving specialists with expertise in hostage rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, intelligence gathering and jungle operations.
“HURIWA calls on the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Air Force to establish a unified rescue command and deploy specialised personnel trained in hostage rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, intelligence gathering and jungle operations,” the statement said.
HURIWA stressed that the reported explosive devices around the hideout should be handled by specialists while efforts to locate and secure the hostages continue.
“The association demands that security agencies must not allow the mined forest terrain to become an excuse for prolonged delay in rescuing the victims,” it said.
The group further urged the security agencies to maintain continuous surveillance and intelligence operations around the area to prevent the abductors from moving the victims or harming them.
“HURIWA demands that security agencies maintain continuous aerial surveillance and ground intelligence around the identified hideout to prevent the kidnappers from relocating the victims or inflicting harm on them,” the statement added.
The rights group also called for the establishment of a secure perimeter around the suspected hideout and the sealing of possible escape routes.
It urged the security forces to “use all lawful means available to isolate the kidnappers while creating a safe corridor for the recovery of the hostages.”
HURIWA also called for the deployment of bomb-disposal experts and suitable armoured equipment to deal with the reported explosive threats before any ground operation is attempted.
The organisation warned security agencies against taking reckless action that could place the abducted corps members at greater risk.
“HURIWA insists that the safety of the hostages must remain the overriding consideration throughout the operation,” it said.
The association also urged the government and security agencies to establish a dedicated communication channel for the victims’ families, stressing the importance of regular and credible information during the rescue effort.
“We call on the security agencies to provide regular, credible updates to the families of the victims and to establish a dedicated liaison structure through which relatives can receive verified information about the rescue operation,” HURIWA said.
Beyond the immediate rescue, HURIWA urged security agencies to investigate the abduction and identify the alleged perpetrators and their collaborators.
The association said the operation should not end with the release of the hostages.
“HURIWA equally urges the Federal Government to deploy intelligence-led measures to identify and apprehend the kidnappers and their collaborators, rather than allowing the operation to end with the release of the hostages alone,” it said.
“Those responsible for the abduction must be tracked, arrested and prosecuted after the victims have been safely recovered.”
HURIWA also called for comprehensive support for the victims once they are rescued, including medical, psychological and welfare assistance.
The association said such intervention would be necessary because of the trauma that could result from prolonged captivity.
“HURIWA also calls for urgent medical, psychological and welfare support for the victims immediately after their rescue, particularly given the trauma associated with prolonged captivity,” it said.
The organisation maintained that the latest incident should not be treated as an isolated kidnapping case, arguing that security concerns involving corps members have persisted for years.
“HURIWA notes that security incidents involving corps members have persisted since 2015 and intensified since 2023, raising serious concerns about the safety of a scheme that requires young Nigerians to travel across the country for compulsory national service,” the statement said.
Against the backdrop of recurring security concerns, HURIWA renewed its call for a comprehensive review of the NYSC scheme.
The group said such a review should consider measures capable of ensuring the safety of young Nigerians participating in the national service programme.
It also reiterated its earlier position that the Federal Government could consider a one-year suspension of the scheme to allow for the development of what it described as a credible and sustainable security framework.
However, HURIWA stressed that the immediate priority should remain the rescue of those currently in captivity.
“The immediate priority is not the future of the NYSC scheme but the lives of those currently in captivity,” the association said.
The group therefore called on the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to treat the incident as an emergency.
“HURIWA demands that the Federal Government and security agencies treat the rescue of the abducted corps members as an emergency operation and do everything within their lawful powers to bring them home safely,” it said.
HURIWA stressed the urgency of the situation, saying every passing minute could matter in a hostage situation.
“Every minute matters in a hostage situation,” the association said, urging the authorities to act with “urgency, coordination and determination.”
