The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has challenged Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to take urgent action to address insecurity following the reported abduction of 20 National Youth Service Corps members along the Owerri–Onitsha Road.
HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Thursday, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the corps members.
It also urged security agencies to deploy all available resources to locate and rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.
Reports indicate that the corps members were travelling in a commercial bus from Ibadan, Oyo State, to various NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.
They were reportedly intercepted by gunmen near Umunoha community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the incident.
The command said security operatives were combing surrounding bushes, while a Rapid Response Team had been deployed to track the abductors and secure the victims’ release.
HURIWA described the abduction as a grave assault on the safety and fundamental rights of young Nigerians travelling to serve their country.
The group said the incident had further exposed serious security challenges along major highways in Imo State.
HURIWA challenged Uzodinma to make the protection of lives and property his immediate priority.
It urged the governor to demonstrate visible leadership in tackling insecurity across the state.
The rights group also criticised what it described as the governor’s political engagements and campaign activities outside Imo while insecurity remains a major concern in the state.
HURIWA said political activities were legitimate in a democracy, but the responsibility to protect lives and property must not be subordinated to partisan engagements.
The group urged Uzodinma to work closely with the police, military, intelligence agencies, traditional institutions and local communities to improve security coordination.
It also called for an urgent review of security arrangements along vulnerable highways, particularly routes connecting Imo with neighbouring states.
HURIWA demanded improved intelligence gathering, surveillance and rapid-response mechanisms to prevent criminal gangs from exploiting security gaps along the state’s major roads.
The organisation urged security agencies to make the safe rescue of the 20 corps members their immediate operational priority.
It appealed to residents, motorists and others with credible information about the victims or their abductors to immediately alert the appropriate security agencies.
HURIWA said Nigerians serving under the NYSC scheme should not be forced to choose between fulfilling their national obligation and risking their lives on the nation’s highways.
It called for a thorough investigation of the incident and prosecution of those found responsible.