Lagos Assembly Demands Urgent Rescue of Kidnapped NYSC Prospective Corps Member
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have called for urgent intervention to secure the release of a Prospective Corps Member (PCM), Miss Lateefah Binuyo, who was abducted while travelling to her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp.
Binuyo, a Mass Communication graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic, was kidnapped on January 22 in Kogi State while en route to the NYSC orientation camp in Taraba State.
She is reportedly her mother’s only child. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The lawmakers’ call followed a motion of urgent public importance raised at Thursday’s plenary by Mrs Omolara Olumegbon, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs.
Olumegbon disclosed that the abductors had demanded a ransom of ₦30 million, urging immediate action by relevant authorities to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.
She called on the House to formally write to the Federal Government, demanding stronger security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to their states of deployment.
The lawmaker also urged the House to engage Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government, stressing the need for inter-state collaboration to secure Binuyo’s release.
Contributing to the debate, the Majority Leader, Mr Noheem Adams, commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as renewed efforts to improve national security.
Adams noted that the current security situation had shown noticeable improvement compared to previous administrations, while emphasising the need for sustained action.
Another lawmaker, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, praised the Nigerian military for its continued efforts in maintaining national security, while also appealing to Governor Sanwo-Olu to engage his Kogi counterpart for swift intervention.
Similarly, Mr Tobun Abiodun suggested that the House, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review deployment procedures.
He specifically called for a reassessment of posting prospective corps members to distant or high-risk areas, in order to minimise exposure to avoidable dangers.
In his remarks, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described the incident as painful, especially at a time when many young Nigerians were losing interest in education.
Obasa lamented that graduates who had completed their studies and were ready to serve the nation were now being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.
He stressed the responsibility of the NYSC leadership to ensure the safety of corps members from the point of travel to their places of deployment and back to their families.
While expressing confidence that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration had already taken steps on the matter, the Speaker said efforts must be intensified through collaboration with the Kogi State Government, as suggested by members.
He further disclosed that the House would write to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in the case and take measures to prevent future occurrences.