Atiku condemns abduction of corps members, demands urgent rescue

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State, describing it as "heartbreaking" and demanding urgent rescue efforts. Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, called on the federal and Imo State governments, as well as security agencies, to secure the release of those still in captivity.

The incident occurred on October 1 when gunmen attacked two commercial buses carrying prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, resulting in the abduction of 20 individuals. While some have been rescued, others remain missing. Atiku also drew attention to the prolonged captivity of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State, where over 70 pupils and students have been held since May.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.