In a statement released on Monday, HURIWA gave the Nigerian police boss 24 hours’ ultimatum to rescue the kidnapped corps members.
A civic group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to resign over his failure to rescue eight kidnapped National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on a highway in Zamfara State.
In a statement released on Monday, HURIWA gave the Nigerian police boss 24 hours’ ultimatum to rescue the kidnapped corps members.
Recall that on Saturday, August 21, the victims were abducted while travelling from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto on their way to Zamfara State.
When the criminals stopped their car, they were on their way to perform the required national duty.
Three of the 11 corps members who were reportedly abducted managed to escape, according to sources.
Along with the eight corps members, the bus's driver was also taken hostage. The family of one of the victims, Betty Udofia, is said to have been contacted, and the kidnappers are reportedly demanding an N4 million ransom.
HURIWA claimed that the acting IG had given no justification for not giving the rescue of the corps members a top priority.
The rights organisation also criticised the president for failing to impose administrative consequences on security chiefs as a result of the pervasive insecurity throughout the nation.
According to HURIWA, the IGP would have sent personnel to rescue the kidnapped youth corps members.
Although the kidnapping of corpers is a very sensitive issue because it touches on an institution established by the country to promote national cohesion, unity, and to harness the talents, skills, and gifts of young people towards national service, HURIWA reminded those advocating the abolition of the NYSC that kidnappings have become hydra-headed monsters and asserted that Nigerians should be more focused on demanding intelligence-based policing, which is lacking.
It added that the rising kidnap incidents show the crime’s “profitability” outweighs the perceived threat of state intervention and police rescues.