The Oyo State Government has condemned the abduction of some corps members of Oyo State origin serving in Imo State, assuring their families that concerted efforts are being made to secure their safe release.
The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Thursday, described the incident as distressing and reprehensible, while calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
According to the government, it is currently in communication with relevant security agencies, the Imo State Government and the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure a coordinated response to the incident.
Oyelade said, “The Government of Oyo State condemns this reprehensible act and is in close communication with relevant security agencies, the Imo State Government, and the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps to ensure a coordinated and urgent response.”
He added that the state government was committed to ensuring the safe return of the abducted corps members to their families.
“We are fully committed to securing the safe release of our children and will stop at nothing to ensure that they are reunited with their families without harm,” the commissioner quoted the government as saying.
The statement further disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that all necessary resources be deployed towards securing the release of the victims.
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Oyelade said the governor had also reiterated that the safety and welfare of indigenes of the state, whether within or outside Oyo State, remained a priority of his administration.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, has directed that all necessary resources be deployed and has emphasised that the safety and well-being of every indigene of the state—within and outside our borders—remains a top priority,” he said.
The government appealed to the families of the abducted corps members to remain calm, assuring them that relevant authorities were actively working on the matter.
“We urge the families of the abducted corps members to remain calm and assured that the government is actively engaged on all fronts,” the statement said.
It also called on security agencies to intensify their operations to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
“We call on security agencies to intensify efforts and bring the perpetrators of this criminal act to justice,” Oyelade stated.
The state government further pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
“Oyo State will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future,” the commissioner said.
The government expressed solidarity with the abducted corps members, their families and the entire NYSC community, saying it remained committed to their safety and wellbeing.
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