By Olawale Ogunbusola, Ibadan

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Egbeda and Gender Equality Advocate, Hon. Temitope Olawoyin, has commended security agencies for rescuing 20 Youth Corps members abducted en route from Ibadan to Imo last Saturday.

The corps members, who boarded a private bus at Samonda in Ibadan, were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Road near Umunoha Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. Their abductors initially demanded a N950 million ransom.

In a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Public Communications and Publicity, Olawale Kunle, Hon. Olawoyin described the rescue as a rare victory for security agencies in Nigeria, saying their intelligence and sacrifice are beginning to pay off.

She noted that the operation has helped to restore trust and confidence in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s efforts to improve the nation’s security architecture.

Hon. Olawoyin added that the collaboration also marks another milestone following the rescue of victims in Oriire after 56 days in captivity.

The public administration expert advocated for the speedy passage and implementation of the State Police Bill. She urged residents across all demographics to embrace vigilance, community awareness, and collaboration with security agencies.

She also congratulated Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for providing logistics support to security agencies during the rescue of the 20 abducted corps members.

While congratulating the parents, guardians, journalists, and other stakeholders, she charged federal and state governments to strengthen their constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property for a peaceful and thriving democracy.