Abducted corper: Lagos Assembly seeks release as kidnappers demand N30m

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday decried the abduction of a Prospective Corps Member, Binuyo Lateefah, calling for urgent inter-governmental and security collaboration to ensure her immediate rescue.

This followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by lawmaker Omolara Olumegbon, who informed the House that the victim was abducted on January 22, 2026, around the Kogi axis while travelling to Taraba State for her National Youth Service Corps assignment.

She disclosed that the abductors were demanding a ransom of N30m.

Olumegbon urged the House to write to the Federal Government to strengthen security measures for the PCMs travelling to their various states of deployment.

She also called on the House to formally engage the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

In his contribution, lawmaker Noheem Adams lauded President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to improving the security of lives and property across the country, noting that the current security situation had shown significant improvement compared to previous administrations.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Ogundipe Stephen, also commended the Nigerian military for its efforts in maintaining national security, but emphasised the need for intensified action.

Ogundipe appealed to the Lagos State Governor to engage his Kogi State counterpart to facilitate swift intervention.

In addition, lawmaker Tobun Abiodun suggested that the House, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review deployment procedures, particularly the posting of PCMs to distant and high-risk areas, to minimise exposure to avoidable dangers.

Describing the incident as deeply disheartening, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, in his ruling, noted that at a time when some people were unwilling to pursue education, it was painful that young Nigerians who had completed their studies and were ready to serve the nation were being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.

He emphasised the need to engage the NYSC Director-General on the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of PCMs from the point of travel to their places of deployment and back to their families.

Obasa further stated that while he was confident that the Governor of Lagos State had already taken steps on the matter, efforts should be intensified by liaising with the Kogi State Government, as suggested by members, and by formally writing to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in the case and prevent future occurrences.

When contacted on Thursday, the Kogi State Police Command confirmed the abduction of Binuyo, noting that efforts were being made to secure her release.

“Yes, I am aware. I can’t disclose details… Efforts are being made to secure her release,” the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Saliu Afusat, said.(Punch)