*To Be Issues Certificates After Spending Service Year In Captivity
THE Director General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Y. D. Ahmed, has announced the release of the eight members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were abducted while travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo in Akwa State to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Sokoto State for the one-year mandatory national service.
Out of the 11 corps members and the driver in the bus, three corps members escaped during the attack, while the eight were abducted along with the driver.
The victims, who were released in batches, with the last one regaining freedom on Thursday, August 22, include Daniel Etim Bassey (from Uruan LGA, graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka); Uyo, Obong Victor Udofia (Ikono LGA, University of Uyo); Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan (Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic); Abigail Peter Sandy (Abak LGA, Maurid Polytechnic); Glory Etukudo Thomas (Eket LGA, Heritage Polytechnic); Emmanuel Esudue (Urue Offong Oruko LGA); Victoria Bassey Udoka (Ini LGA, University of Uyo) and Solomon Bassey Daniel (Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic).
Ahmed, while addressing journalists on Friday, August 23, warned corps members against travelling at night, even as he assured that their welfare and security would continue to be the priority of the scheme.
He said through the combined effort of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and the NYSC, the mission started yielding results with the rescue of the first set of four prospective Corps members.
“On August 22, we rescued the last corps member in a set of eight, Solomon Daniel Bassey, while on the 30th of August, 2023, we rescued the first prospective corps member, Emmanuel Emmanuel Esudue.
“Victoria Bassey Udoka was rescued on the 20th of October, 2023. Abigail Peter Sandy was rescued on the 7th of December, 2023. Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan was equally rescued on the 7th of December, 2023.
“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 (August 22), we rescued the last person, who is Solomon Daniel Bassey.”
He further said no ransom payment was made to rescue the prospective corps members.
He added: “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 corps members.
“No group of people or organisation aided in the rescue of the prospective corps members, apart from the security agencies, particularly the Army and the DSS.”
The NYSC DG explained that the corps members were transferred from one camp to the other during the period; hence not rescued from one place, adding: “You will remember when these four members were travelling from Uyo in Akwa Ibom to Sokoto, they were kidnapped on 17 August, 2024, on Funtua-Bisau Road in Zamfara State.
“While in Zamfara, we collaborated with the Army, Police, DSS and traditional rulers. We also had a meeting with the Governor of Zamfara State regarding the kidnapping of the prospective corps members.
“Consequently, through the combined effort of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and the NYSC, the mission started yielding results with the rescue of the first set of prospective four members,” Ahmed stated.
Meanwhile, Ahmed has disclosed NYSC’s plan to issue certificates to prospective corps members who could not be mobilised for the one year they were in captivity, saying after all the rescued corps members had gone through in the hands of their captors, they could not be mobilised for service again, but to be given their discharge certificates.
One of them, Solomon Daniel Bassey, was the last of the eight corps members to be rescued.
He said so far, no arrest had been made, but the gang leader who organised the kidnap has been killed.
One of the rescued victims, Esudue, said their experience was traumatic, even as he expressed appreciation to scheme and the security agencies for their efforts in rescuing them.
