Corps members who spent service year in bandits’ den get NYSC certificates

The National Youth Service Corps has announced that prospective corps members who were unable to participate in the one-year national service due to being kidnapped would be issued certificates.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, made this known during a briefing with journalists in Abuja on Friday.

Ahmed explained that given the ordeal they had endured at the hands of their captors, they would no longer be required to participate in the national service.

The victims were en route to Sokoto State for the three-week orientation course when they were abducted in Zamfara State on August 17, 2023.

They were travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus when they were ambushed.

They were released in batches, with the last group regaining their freedom this week.

The victims are Daniel Etim Bassey (from Uruan LGA, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka); Obong Victor Udofia (from Ikono LGA, University of Uyo); Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan (from Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic); Abigail Peter Sandy (from Abak LGA, Maurid Polytechnic); Glory Etukudo Thomas (from Eket LGA, Heritage Polytechnic); Emmanuel Esudue (from Urue Offong Oruko LGA); Victoria Bassey Udoka (from Ini LGA, University of Uyo); and Solomon Bassey Daniel (from Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic).

Ahmed said, “Obong Victor Udofia was rescued on the 3rd of February, 2024. Daniel Bassey was rescued on the 8th of February, 2024. Glory Etukudu Thomas was rescued on the 9th of June, 2024. Yesterday, 22nd August, we rescued the last victim, Solomon Daniel Bassey.”

He stated that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the corps members, emphasizing that they were rescued through the efforts of the Department of State Security and the Nigerian Army.

“No state government brought any amount for their rescue as claimed in the media. I must state that I have not received one naira from any state government so far in the name of the rescue of these co-members.

“No group of people or organization aided the rescue of the prospective corps members apart from the security agencies, particularly the army and the DSS.

“The Corps members were transferred from one kidnappers’ camp to the other, hence, they were not rescued from one place,” he stated.

He mentioned that, so far, no arrests have been made, but the gang leader who orchestrated the kidnapping has been killed.

One of the rescued corps members, Emmanuel Esudue Emmanuel, described the experience as traumatic.

He expressed gratitude to the NYSC and the security agencies for their efforts in securing their release.