By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Federal Government and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to urgently secure the release of Miss Linda Obi Chiamaka, a corps member abducted by terrorists in Zungeru, Niger State, about a month ago.
HURIWA also appealed to the First Lady, Mrs Remi Tinubu, to intervene and ensure the swift release of the abducted.
Linda, a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, was serving in Dalijan village, Gwandu Local Council of Kebbi State. She was kidnapped on November 2, 2023, while travelling home from her Passing Out Parade (POP) along the Niger-Onitsha Expressway. The attack, which occurred in Zungeru, saw a male passenger killed while Linda and a family of four were taken captive by the assailants.
In a statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed concern over the continued deployment of corps members to areas plagued by terrorism and insecurity, such as Kebbi State. Onwubiko urged the NYSC to take decisive action to ensure Linda’s release and protect future participants.
HURIWA specifically called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate a rescue operation to secure Linda’s freedom. The group also appealed to the abductors to release Linda, noting her dedication to national service and her effort to bridge cultural divides by serving in Northern Nigeria as a South-Easterner.
“This young lady is a courageous Nigerian who accepted her posting to the North-West despite the prevailing insecurity in the region,” the statement read. “We urge the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Governor of Kebbi State to take swift measures to ensure her release.”
HURIWA further called on the Minister of Youth Development and the NYSC Director-General to expedite Linda’s rescue and implement policies to exclude severely insecure areas, such as Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, and parts of Sokoto State, from NYSC postings.
The advocacy group also raised concerns about the emergence of new terrorist groups, including one identified as “Lukarawa,” intensifying the security challenges in the North-West.