Lagos Assembly demands urgent action over abducted corps member

The Lagos State House of Assembly has intervened in the reported abduction of a Prospective Corps Member (PCM), Miss Binuyo Lateefah, calling for urgent inter-governmental and security collaboration to secure her immediate rescue.

The House took the decision following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by Hon Omolara Olumegbon, who informed lawmakers that the victim was abducted on January 22, 2026, along the Kogi axis while travelling to Taraba State for her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment. She disclosed that the abductors had demanded a ransom of ₦30 million.

Hon Olumegbon urged the House to write to the Federal Government to strengthen security measures for Prospective Corps Members travelling to their various states of deployment. She also called on the Assembly to formally engage the Lagos State Governor to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

Contributing, Hon Noheem Adams commended the President for his efforts at improving the security of lives and property across the country, noting that the current security situation had shown significant improvement compared to previous administrations.

Similarly, Hon Stephen Ogundipe praised the Nigerian military for its role in maintaining national security but stressed the need for intensified action. He also appealed to the Lagos State Governor to engage his Kogi State counterpart to facilitate swift intervention.

In his contribution, Hon Abiodun Tobun 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 Prospective Corps Members to distant and high-risk areas, in order to minimise exposure to avoidable dangers.

Describing the incident as deeply distressing, the Speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, said it was painful that at a time when some Nigerians were unwilling to pursue education, young citizens who had completed their studies and were eager to serve the nation were being exposed to threats such as kidnapping.

The Speaker stressed the need to engage the NYSC Director-General on the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of Prospective Corps Members from the point of travel to their places of deployment and back to their families.

Obasa further stated that while he was confident the Lagos State Governor had already taken steps on the matter, efforts should be intensified by also 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.