The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on security agencies and relevant authorities to take urgent steps to rescue a prospective corps member, Miss Lateefah Binuyo, who was abducted while travelling for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation programme.
The lawmakers made the call during plenary on Thursday after raising a motion of urgent public importance on the matter. The motion was presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Mrs Omolara Olumegbon.
Miss Binuyo, a graduate of Mass Communication from Kwara State Polytechnic, was reportedly kidnapped on January 22 in Kogi State. She was said to be on her way to Taraba State for the NYSC orientation exercise when she was abducted. Lawmakers were told that she is the only child of her mother, a detail that further deepened concerns about her safety and the emotional pain being faced by her family.
Presenting the motion, Mrs Olumegbon informed the House that the abductors had demanded a ransom of N30 million for Binuyo’s release. She described the situation as distressing and unacceptable, especially as it involved a young Nigerian who had completed her education and was preparing to serve the country.
She urged the Assembly to take immediate steps by formally writing to the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to ensure that Miss Binuyo is rescued without delay.
Olumegbon also called for stronger security arrangements for prospective corps members who travel across different states for NYSC deployment. According to her, the safety of young graduates should be a national priority.
“Our young people should not have to risk their lives simply because they want to serve their country,” she said. “This is a serious matter that requires urgent attention.”
She further appealed to the House to engage Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government and security agencies to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of the abducted corps member.
Contributing to the debate, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Noheem Adams, expressed concern over the incident but also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as ongoing efforts to improve security across the country.
Adams noted that while security challenges still exist, there has been noticeable improvement compared to previous administrations. He said the current situation should push authorities to do more to protect citizens, especially young people travelling across states.
“This incident shows that there is still work to be done,” Adams said. “We must strengthen security along major roads and ensure that travellers are better protected.”
Another lawmaker, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, praised the Nigerian military and other security agencies for their role in protecting the country. However, he stressed that more urgent action was needed in this particular case.
Ogundipe supported the call for the Lagos State Government to engage directly with the Kogi State Government to speed up efforts to rescue the victim.
In his contribution, Mr Abiodun Tobun raised concerns about the NYSC deployment process. He suggested that the Lagos Assembly, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review existing procedures.
Tobun said there was a need to reconsider the posting of prospective corps members to faraway or high-risk areas, especially when adequate security cannot be guaranteed.
According to him, many parents already worry about the safety of their children under the NYSC scheme, and incidents like this only increase fear and anxiety.
“We must look at the deployment process again,” he said. “Posting young graduates to distant or unsafe areas exposes them to unnecessary danger.”
Addressing the House, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, described the abduction as deeply troubling.
He said it was painful that at a time when some young people were no longer interested in education, those who had completed their studies and were ready to serve the nation were being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.
Obasa stressed that the leadership of the NYSC has a responsibility to ensure the safety of corps members, from the time they leave their homes to their places of deployment and until they return safely to their families.
“The safety of corps members should not be taken lightly,” the Speaker said. “They are serving the nation, and the nation must protect them.”
He added that while he believed the Sanwo-Olu-led administration had already taken steps to address the situation, more efforts were needed.
According to him, direct engagement with the Kogi State Government and security agencies would help speed up the rescue operation.
The Speaker also disclosed that the House would write to the Inspector-General of Police, calling for immediate intervention in the case.
He said the letter would also urge the police and other security agencies to put measures in place to prevent similar incidents in the future, especially along routes frequently used by travellers and prospective corps members.
The Assembly resolved to formally communicate its concerns to the Federal Government, the NYSC leadership and relevant security authorities.
The abduction of Miss Binuyo has again drawn attention to Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, particularly kidnapping along highways. In recent years, travellers across several states have fallen victim to abduction, with criminals demanding large sums of money for their release.
Prospective corps members are often required to travel long distances from their states of origin to places of deployment, sometimes through unfamiliar and risky routes. This has raised repeated concerns about their safety during transit.
The NYSC scheme, established in 1973, was designed to promote national unity by posting graduates to states other than their own. While the programme has played an important role in nation-building, security concerns have continued to affect its operations.
Families of corps members have repeatedly called for better protection, safer transportation arrangements and improved coordination between the NYSC and security agencies.
As of Thursday, Miss Binuyo was still being held by her abductors, and efforts were ongoing to secure her release. Lawmakers expressed hope that with increased pressure and coordination among authorities, she would be rescued unharmed.
The Lagos Assembly appealed to security agencies to act swiftly and decisively, stressing that the life of a young Nigerian must not be put at risk.