Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu Over NYSC Kidnapping

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar criticized President Bola Tinubu regarding the abduction of 20 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State. In a statement, Atiku expressed concern over the vulnerability of Nigerians to kidnappers, despite the savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted graduates, noting that 70 pupils and students from Borno State have been in captivity since May and June. Atiku stated that young Nigerians face threats at various educational stages and during their travels to NYSC camps.

He condemned the allocation of significant pipeline security contracts to politically connected companies while ordinary citizens face criminal threats. The abduction occurred on October 1, when gunmen attacked two buses carrying prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway.

The Imo State Police Command reported the recovery of the buses and the rescue of 10 individuals, while the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N1 billion, later reduced to N100 million.