Babatunji Wusu-
Mr. Ibanga Isine, a journalist from Akwa Ibom State who has won numerous awards, has expressed concern about the National Youth Service Corps’ silence following the kidnapping of eight of its members in Zamfara State.
About 27 days ago, the corps members were en route to Sokoto for their national assignment.
Isine voiced his anxiety and concerns about the circumstance in a skillfully worded letter full of innuendos.
Free Kidnapped Corps Members: An Open Letter was sent to Yushau Dogara Ahmed, director-general of the NYSC, along with copies to President Bola Tinubu, Godswill Akpabio, president of the Senate, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Defense Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Minister of State for Defense Bello Matawalle. Our correspondent acquired it on Monday.
The letter states, “If anyone were in doubt, their intimidating profile on the NYSC website would easily convince them that you came to the job with more than a smattering of experience and qualification, and you proved it when you swung into action as soon as you reported for duty on January 30 by announcing your policy thrust with the first focal area being on “improving security, welfare of corps members and staff to engender optimal service delivery to the nation.” That was a risky decision, which is why I’m here to once again express my sincere gratitude to you.
“With all due respect, General, how do you sleep at night knowing that people’s children who merely heeded the call to duty are suffering in the camp of brigands who may kill them at any time?
“Would you act as if nothing had occurred or that you were not in charge of them just because they did not make it to the camp if your child or President Bola Tinubu’s child was captured in this manner?
The award-winning journalist noted that he grew up in a neighborhood where troops wearing red gorgets are respected, particularly during times of civil war, but expressed dismay that the DG hasn’t taken any action since the NYSC volunteers were abducted.
“Unfortunately, as a “brave” soldier, you haven’t spoken out since the kids were forcibly “mobilized,” and neither has Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara and current minister of state for defense, perhaps because they aren’t his kids.
Nigeria is in fact a great country, not a major criminal scene. It is the only nation in the world to give control of its national defense systems to a former governor who failed miserably, was almost driven from the official residence by brigands before he paid a ransom, and was being investigated for kleptomaniac tendencies.
