The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture following the abduction of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other travellers in Imo State.
HURIWA said the reported discovery of the kidnappers’ forest hideout and the presence of improvised explosive devices around the camp should trigger a coordinated rescue operation.
It said the security threat must not be allowed to cause prolonged delay in securing the victims’ release.
National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, made the demand in a statement on Sunday.
He called on the Federal Government to deploy every available intelligence, military and specialist security capability to secure the immediate and safe release of the victims.
HURIWA urged the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Nigerian Air Force to establish a unified rescue command.
The group said the operation should involve personnel with expertise in hostage rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, intelligence gathering and jungle operations.
It also demanded continuous aerial surveillance and ground intelligence around the hideout to prevent the kidnappers from relocating the victims or harming them.
According to HURIWA, security forces should secure the area, block possible escape routes and isolate the kidnappers while creating the safest conditions for recovering the hostages.
The association further called for bomb-disposal experts and appropriate protective equipment to deal with the reported explosive threats before any ground operation.
HURIWA stressed that the safety of the abducted corps members must remain the overriding consideration throughout the rescue operation.
The rights group also urged security agencies to provide the victims’ families with regular and credible updates through a dedicated liaison structure.
It warned against conflicting or unverified information that could further heighten the anxiety of relatives.
HURIWA said the operation must not end with the release of the victims.
It demanded intelligence-led efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute the kidnappers and their collaborators.
The association said rescuing hostages without dismantling the criminal network behind the abduction would leave the wider security threat intact.
HURIWA equally urged the government to provide immediate medical, psychological and welfare support to the victims after their rescue.
It said such assistance would be necessary given the trauma associated with prolonged captivity.
The association said the latest abduction should no longer be treated as an isolated kidnapping incident.
HURIWA noted that security incidents involving corps members have persisted for years and intensified since 2023.
It said the situation raised fundamental questions about the safety of a national service scheme that requires young Nigerians to travel and live in different parts of the country.
Against this backdrop, HURIWA renewed its demand for a comprehensive review of the NYSC scheme.
The group said this should include consideration of a one-year suspension to enable the Federal Government to develop and implement a credible security framework for corps members.
HURIWA, however, stressed that the immediate priority remains the safe recovery of those currently in captivity.
The association demanded that the Federal Government and security agencies treat the rescue as an emergency national security operation.
It urged the authorities to deploy every lawful capability necessary to bring the abducted corps members home safely.
“Every minute matters in a hostage situation. The authorities must act with urgency, coordination and determination,” HURIWA said.