By Adeola Badru

A humanitarian volunteer organisation, Uniquely Network Rescue Service (UNRS-Nigeria), has called on the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to urgently intervene in what it described as the unlawful detention of 48 of its members by the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The appeal was made during a press conference held in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday where the organisation alleged that the volunteers had been held in custody for more than three days following their arrest in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

According to UNRS-Nigeria, those detained comprised a cross-section of its membership, including students, civil servants, clergy, professionals, pregnant women and other volunteers who were involved in preparatory activities ahead of the planned inauguration of the organisation’s Akwa Ibom State Administrative Command.

In a statement issued by the organisation’s Director of Information, Ajayi Ayodeji Johnson, UNRS alleged that the arrests were carried out on Friday, May 29, 2026, between 4pm and 5pm, on the orders of the Akwa Ibom State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe.

The organisation stated that its officers, under the leadership of one of its team leaders, Mr Ude Ejike Ezekiel, had gathered at the venue designated for the commissioning ceremony, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, May, 30 when NSCDC operatives allegedly arrived and arrested members who had assembled there.

UNRS further claimed that Bishop Favour Adeshina Adekunle, who reportedly visited the NSCDC State Headquarters to seek clarification regarding the arrests and facilitate the release of the detained volunteers, was also taken into custody and prevented from interacting with those already detained.

The organisation suggested that the arrests may have stemmed from disagreements linked to what it described as “in-house arrangements” involving the state command of the NSCDC.

It argued that such allegations, if substantiated, would raise serious concerns about the abuse of office and misuse of official authority.

“Our officers were engaged in lawful humanitarian and rescue-related activities aimed at supporting emergency response, disaster management and the protection of lives and government properties,” the statement read.

UNRS warned that the prolonged detention of the volunteers without clearly stated charges could erode public trust in security institutions and discourage volunteer groups that work alongside government agencies in emergency response, public safety and crime prevention initiatives.

The organisation, which identified itself as a volunteer humanitarian and rescue body currently undergoing affiliation processes with an international rescue organisation connected to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, said its members are trained in disaster management, rescue operations, crime reporting, conflict prevention and other community-based emergency services.

It, therefore, urged the Minister of Interior to order the immediate and unconditional release of all detained volunteers and ensure that a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation is carried out into the circumstances surrounding the arrests.

“We respectfully appeal to the Federal Government to investigate the conduct of all parties involved and ensure justice is served. These are citizens who claim to be contributing to humanitarian and rescue services in their communities,” the statement added.