By Oscar Okhifo

Copyright independent

Tension has again gripped Jos, the Plateau State capital, following the abduction of a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and a student by suspected kidnappers.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Babale community in Jos North Local Government Area, when armed men invaded a residential apartment and whisked away the victims at gunpoint.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, who stormed the community around 3 a.m., shot sporadically to frighten residents before forcing their way into the targeted apartment.

The corps member and the student were reportedly dragged out and taken to an unknown destination.

Confirming the attack, the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, said security operatives had been deployed to rescue the victims.

He assured that the police were making efforts to track down the abductors and urged residents to remain calm and provide useful information to aid the operation.

Abduction of serving corps members has become rife in several parts of the country, with many held captive for months amid what critics describe as a lack of adequate zeal from state actors to secure their release.

The frequent kidnappings have fueled calls for a reassessment of the NYSC scheme, especially in states riddled with insecurity.

While some argue that the programme should be suspended in volatile areas, others insist on its importance, stressing that the state must not kowtow to non-state actors by abandoning the scheme.

As of press time, the headquarters of the NYSC was yet to issue any official statement on the latest abduction.

The incident adds to growing concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Jos and other communities in Plateau State, where cases of armed robbery and kidnappings have been on the increase.