The management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has expressed anguish and concern over the reported abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps.
This was contained in a statement by the university in response to reports and police confirmation that prospective corps members and other passengers were abducted after two buses travelling from Ibadan were attacked along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu, said in the statement issued by the institution’s Public and Alumni Relations Unit that the university is particularly distressed by reports that at least three of its graduates, including graduates of Food Science and Physiology, are among those reportedly abducted in the October 1 incident.
In the statement, Prof. Kalilu said: ‘The University stands firmly with the affected families at this deeply distressing moment.
‘This is a painful and deeply troubling development for the University and, most importantly, for the families of our graduates and the other young Nigerians whose lives have been so cruelly disrupted. Our immediate and overriding concern is their safety and safe return to their families.’
The Vice-Chancellor called on security and other relevant agencies to intensify coordinated efforts to locate and secure the safe release of all the abducted prospective corps members and other passengers.
‘Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, remains in solidarity with the families. We are praying and hoping for the safe return of our graduates and every other victim,’ the Vice-Chancellor said, adding that the university would continue to monitor developments and maintain appropriate communication with relevant authorities and affected families.