Senator Sharafadeen Alli appeals for the unconditional release of Oyo prospective NYSC members abducted by gunmen while travelling to Abia State.
Fear and uncertainty have reportedly gripped families in Oyo State following the abduction of passengers travelling from Ibadan to the South-East, including prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The travellers were reportedly attacked by unidentified gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on Thursday, October 1, 2026, while heading towards Abia State for the NYSC orientation exercise.
The incident involved two commercial buses said to be carrying passengers on the inter-state route. The attackers reportedly intercepted the vehicles after the travellers resumed their journey on Thursday morning.
Some of the passengers, including prospective corps members from Oyo State, were reportedly taken away by the assailants.
The development has left relatives of the victims deeply concerned, with families waiting for information about the whereabouts and safety of their loved ones.
According to a family member of one of the affected passengers who spoke with Newspeakonline, the journey began from Samonda in Ibadan at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30.
The prospective corps members and other passengers reportedly travelled towards the South-East and later stopped in Imo State, where they spent the night before continuing their trip the following morning.
The source said the travellers resumed their journey early on Thursday, but their movement was interrupted when the gunmen reportedly attacked the buses at about 6:30 a.m.
The assailants were said to have intercepted the vehicles along the highway before abducting some of the passengers.
Details surrounding the attack remained unclear at the time of the report, while efforts were reportedly being made to establish the exact number of people taken and their whereabouts.
The victims were on their way to Abia State to participate in the NYSC orientation programme, an important stage of the national service scheme for newly mobilised graduates.
Their abduction has therefore generated concern among families and communities in Oyo State, particularly relatives who expected the young graduates to arrive safely at their orientation camp.
The reported attack has also renewed concerns about the safety of major highways connecting different parts of the country, especially routes frequently used by students, workers, travellers and prospective corps members.
Senator Sharafadeen Alli appeals for release
Reacting to the incident, the Oyo State Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sharafadeen Alli, appealed for the unconditional release of the abducted prospective corps members.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Alli described the development as deeply disturbing and called on those responsible for the abduction to release the victims unharmed.
He said the young graduates were travelling for national service and should not be subjected to such an ordeal.
“I appeal to those holding these young Nigerians to release them unconditionally. They are innocent graduates, sons and daughters of families who are now living in unbearable pain, fear and anxiety,” Alli said.
The senator expressed sympathy with the families of the affected passengers, noting the emotional burden created by the uncertainty surrounding the victims.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to trace the abducted travellers and secure their safe return.
Alli also drew attention to the purpose of the NYSC programme, noting that the scheme was introduced to encourage national unity and interaction among young Nigerians from different backgrounds and regions.
“The NYSC was established to promote national unity and integration. These young people should not become victims while answering the call to serve their country,” he said.
The APC governorship candidate further called for stronger security arrangements along major inter-state routes.
He said highways regularly used by prospective corps members and other travellers should receive adequate security attention, particularly during periods when large numbers of young Nigerians are travelling to orientation camps across the country.
According to him, Nigerians should be able to move from one state to another for legitimate purposes without fear for their safety.
“No Nigerian should have to fear for their life while travelling for education, employment or national service,” Alli said.
He also appealed to those responsible for the abduction to consider the suffering of the victims’ relatives and release the young Nigerians.
“Those responsible must recognise the sanctity of human life and spare these young Nigerians. Their families are waiting for them to return home safely,” he added.
Alli prayed for the safe return of all the abducted prospective corps members and urged their families to remain calm while security agencies work towards securing their release.
The reported incident comes at a time when prospective corps members from different parts of Nigeria are travelling to various NYSC orientation camps ahead of the commencement of their service year.
For the affected families, however, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their loved ones.
Authorities are expected to continue efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack, locate the abducted passengers and ensure their safe return.
