By Straightnews
Solomon Daniel, the prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member kidnapped 11 months ago is the only victim in the captors’ camp in faraway Zamfara forest.
Grieving Margaret, mother of the victim is inconsolable knowing that others had been released remaining her fatherless son.
The distraught mother who said she fried Akara balls to send Solomon to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom is begging both state and Federal authorities to assist in the release of her son.
Also read: Akwa Ibom: Seven Kidnapped NYSC members freed, one Remaining
Solomon with eight prospective NYSC members and a driver of Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation (AKTC) bus were kidnapped on Zamfara Road on August 17, 2023 as they were heading to Sokoto for the national assignment.
A graduate of Laboratory Science from Afaha Ube Itam in Itu Local Government Area, Solomon is the only victim languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
Margaret who had been remarried to John Mfon Friday of Ibesit Ebong in Oruk Anam Local Government Area spoke with Straightnews on Wednesday, July 17.
Narrating the ordeal, Margaret said ‘‘I was married in Itu. My husband died and I later remarried to Oruk Anam man. I was called by a strange voice on a telephone in the evening of August 17, 2023 that I should come and pay N4 million ransom for the release of my son. I cried since I heard that message. My son told me that he stayed in the forest and that all his belongings had been collected.
‘‘I spoke with my son in November 2023 and again with him in February 2024. Since then, I had not spoken with my son until Wednesday, July 9, 2024 when the kidnappers called me again and demanded payment of N50 million ransom for his release.
”His father had died. I sold Akara to send my son to AKWAPOLY. I am appealing to the Governor Umo Eno and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to assist me in the release of my son. Solomon is from Itu, ‘’ she begged.
Speaking to Straightnews too, Mr. John Mfon Friday, said ‘‘I stayed outside when my wife brought her phone. The kidnappers called us on August 17, 2023 that I should bring N4 million to them otherwise they would kill him.
‘‘We have gotten forms of assistance from some undisclosed quarters, but I am appealing for more assistance to enable us to pay for the release of my stepson.’’
Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono of Open Forum has been advocating to draw public and government attention to the plights of the victims to ensure their safe release.
After a November 2023 press conference by Ibom Peoples Congress (IPC) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State which was addressed by the IPC Global President, Prof John J. Okon, Okono embarked on a one-month solo awareness campaign to several radio and TV stations, wearing a #FreeAkwaIbomKidbappedNYSCMembers T-shirt daily for one month.
On December 21, 2023, he led an IPC-sponsored protest to the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Youths and NYSC Headquarters, Abuja, demanding action from authorities.
During the visit to NYSC, Okono commended the NYSC Director-General, Brig Gen Yusha’u D Ahmed for being an exceptional public officer.
Without previous appointment, Ahmed received Okono and Dr. Edemma Udo while the protest team waited at the Abuja Headquarters of the NYSC.
‘‘The experience I had before, during and after the Abuja protest, has raised my consciousness to a different level. Despite the adverse effect, I suffered in the course of the mission. I’m more resolved to remain focused on the task of being a merchant of light and voice for the voiceless,’’ he stated.
Straightnews reliably gathered that the eight released NYSC members are serving in Abuja.
