A rescued member of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), David Ayodele, has recounted his experience in captivity after being abducted alongside other corps members and travellers in Kogi State.
Ayodele was among a group of NYSC members and other Nigerians who were rescued by security operatives after spending time in captivity in a forest in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to the rescued corps member, the victims were travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their NYSC orientation programme and being relocated to their various places of primary assignment when they were abducted.
The group reportedly included 15 NYSC members and six other Nigerians.
Speaking after his rescue, Ayodele disclosed that the kidnappers issued threats against the captives and allegedly told them that they would be killed if they remained in captivity for a month.
He explained that the victims were taken into a forest and subjected to strict instructions while in the custody of their abductors.
According to him, the captives were warned against moving without permission, adding that the situation created considerable fear among those being held.
The rescued NYSC member said the victims remained in the forest until security personnel eventually launched an operation that led to their rescue.
He expressed appreciation to the security agencies and other individuals who contributed to the operation, particularly the Nigerian Army, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local hunters.
The rescue operation has highlighted ongoing concerns over the safety of travellers and corps members moving between different parts of Nigeria.
The NYSC programme involves young Nigerians being deployed to different states for national service, often requiring participants to travel considerable distances from their home regions. Incidents involving insecurity along major routes have therefore continued to raise concerns about the safety of corps members.
Ayodele’s account provides an insight into the ordeal faced by the victims during their period in captivity and the anxiety surrounding threats made by their abductors.
The successful rescue of the victims has also been welcomed as a significant security development, particularly given the number of NYSC members involved.
The involvement of multiple security agencies and local hunters was said to have contributed to the eventual operation that freed the victims from the forest.
Kidnapping remains a major security concern in several parts of Nigeria, with travellers, students, farmers and other members of the public among those who have been affected by abduction incidents.
The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures along routes frequently used by travellers and corps members.
For the rescued victims, however, their release has brought an end to the period of captivity and allowed them to reunite with their families and continue with their lives.
Ayodele’s testimony also serves as a reminder of the security challenges faced by Nigerians travelling across the country, particularly in areas where armed groups and criminal gangs operate.
The rescued NYSC member credited the security agencies and local hunters for their efforts, while the successful operation has once again demonstrated the importance of coordinated efforts in responding to kidnapping incidents.
Source: Thepressradio.com
