By Chidi Nkwopara
OWERRI — Reactions have continued to trail the prolonged captivity of prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were kidnapped in Imo State while travelling to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
Chief Raymond Onuekwusi expressed concern over the continued captivity of the young people, saying their families were being subjected to severe emotional distress while the victims themselves could be facing serious difficulties in the hands of their abductors.
He said: “While the families of the abducted youngsters are passing through serious and unimaginable pain, only God knows what the kidnap victims themselves are experiencing in the hands of their abductors.
“Nobody can carelessly rule out psychological trauma, possible abuse and health challenges, as the victims remain in captivity.
“Let us not forget that the only sin of the victims, which we can readily point at, is their willingness to serve their fatherland! I don’t know when this has become a crime.
“However, this ugly incident has brought Imo State again into bad light. It is equally sad that the state government, to the best of my knowledge, is yet to issue any statement on the matter.
“While there is nothing on ground in Imo State to show that such a catastrophic incident took place in the state on our Independence Day, it is most disturbing that our nation’s highways are unsafe.
“Why can’t our governments protect human lives and property in this day and age? Is this not part of the oath our leaders took before going into office?”
When reminded of a recent statement attributed to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Audu Garba Bosso, that security agencies had identified the location where the abducted corps members were being held, Onuekwusi said the development would only be meaningful if it led to their safe rescue.
“It may be a pleasing development but nothing will be better for us all than rescuing them alive,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern that the disclosure about the location of the victims could compromise security operations.
“My serious fear is that the Imo police boss goofed, by giving out more information than was necessary. From what he gave out, will the criminals not take commensurate action against a possible counter attack?” he asked.
Responding to criticisms levelled against him by Imo journalists, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Henry Okoye, said he took public feedback seriously.
“I take all public feedback seriously. Sometimes, silence simply means I am listening, reflecting, and considering the best way to respond. Please do not mistake my silence for disregard,” Okoye said.
Meanwhile, the State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, said the party and government were committed to securing the release of the abducted prospective corps members.
He said: “The APC administration places great value on the life of every Nigerian and we will not allow non-state actors to threaten the lives of our citizens without serious and immediate response from the government.
“The Commander-in-Chief, in collaboration with the Governor, has released every necessary resource and personnel to ensure that these citizens are safely rescued and the criminals made to face the full wrath of the law for attempting to harass ordinary Nigerians.
“We urge Imolites of all political persuasions to join the APC in prayers for the successful rescue of these innocent citizens, while we also encourage citizens who reside around the communities where these criminals are hiding to be free to provide the security agents with information and communal support required to root out the bad eggs from their hideout and make our communities safe for law-abiding citizens and residents.”
Reacting to the statement, a citizen, Chidi Okoroafor, criticised the APC’s response, describing it as “shoddy” and saying it failed to address what he considered a wider public reaction to the abduction.
He said: “Beyond the shoddy writing, your statement also failed to address a more serious moral failure.
“While fellow Nigerian citizens, including young corps members, were still being held captive by criminals, many people went ahead with Independence Day celebrations as if nothing was wrong.
“Instead of a national mood of disappointment, concern and collective anxiety, we witnessed noise, dancing and festivity. That is not resilience; it is callous indifference.”
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