Lagos Assembly seeks urgent release of abducted NYSC member

By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The Lagos State House of Assembly has intervened in the reported abduction of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Miss Binuyo Lateefah, calling for urgent inter-governmental and security collaboration to ensure her immediate rescue.

The intervention followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by Omolara Olumegbon during plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa.

Olumegbon informed the House that the victim was abducted on January 22, 2026, around the Kogi axis while travelling to Taraba State for her NYSC assignment. She disclosed that the abductors had demanded a ransom of ₦30 million.

She urged the House to write to the Federal Government to strengthen security measures for prospective corps members travelling to their various states of deployment.

She also called on the Assembly to formally engage the Governor of Lagos State to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

Contributing, Noheem Adams praised President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to improving the security of lives and property across the country, noting that the current security situation had shown significant improvement compared to previous administrations.

Also speaking, Stephen Ogundipe commended the Nigerian military for its sustained efforts in maintaining national security but emphasised the need for intensified action, especially in flashpoints. He appealed to the Lagos State governor to engage his Kogi State counterpart to facilitate swift intervention.

In his contribution, Abiodun Tobun suggested that the House, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review deployment procedures, particularly the posting of prospective corps members to distant and high-risk areas, to minimise exposure to avoidable dangers.

Describing the incident as deeply disheartening, Speaker Obasa, in his ruling, said that at a time when many are unwilling to pursue education, it is painful that young Nigerians who have completed their studies and are eager to serve the nation are being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.

He stressed the need to engage the NYSC Director-General on the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of prospective corps members from the point of travel to their places of deployment and back to their families.

The Speaker further stated that while he was confident that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had already taken steps on the matter, efforts must be intensified by also liaising with the Kogi State Government, as suggested by members, and by formally writing to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in the case and prevent future occurrences.

The House unanimously resolved to pursue all necessary legislative and diplomatic channels to secure the immediate release of the abducted corps member and strengthen protection for others across the country.

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