The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig Gen Yusha’u Ahmed on Friday, announced the rescue of a prospective corps member, Solomon Daniel Bassey, who was abducted on August 17, 2023.
Recall that on August 17, 2023, eight corps members were kidnapped by suspected terrorists on their way to camp in Zamfara State. However, while seven out of the eight were rescued on August 21, 2023, Bassey was not among them.
Therefore, to assuage their sufferings in the den of the kidnappers, the Director-General of the NYSC on Friday said all the corps members rescued from Zamfara State would be issued discharge certificates.
Ahmed noted that after all the rescued corps members had gone through in the hands of their captors, they could not be mobilized for service. But they would be given their discharge certificates.
Recall that the prospective corps members were travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to Sokoto State. However, their bus was intercepted by bandits who took all of them into captivity.
“Although there were reportedly 11 corps members and the driver in the bus, three of the corps members escaped during the attack.
“The eight corps members were abducted with the driver.
According to the NYSC boss the combined effort of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and the NYSC, 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,” he said.
“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. While 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. And Glory Etukudu Thomas was rescued on the 9th of June, 2024.
“Yesterday (August 22), we rescued the last person, who is Solomon Daniel Bassey,” the DG said.
He, however, noted that no ransom payment was made to rescue the corps members.
According to him, the corps member was rescued through the combined effort of the Department of State Security (DSS) 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 corps members. No group of people or organization aided in the rescue of the prospective corps members. Apart from the security agencies, particularly the Army and the DSS,” he said.
Ahmed also gave reason why the corps members were not rescued from one place. He said the corps members were transferred by the bandits from one camp to the other during the period.
The DG also noted that no arrest has been made so far in connection to the kidnap. He, however, stated that the gang leader who organized the kidnap has been killed.
He, therefore, emphasized the importance of safety for corps members and urged them to avoid travelling at night.
Ahmed reaffirmed that the welfare and security of all NYSC members remained the scheme’s top priority.
“You will remember when these Corps members were travelling from Uyo in Akwa Ibom to Sokoto. They were kidnapped on August 17, 2023, on Funtua Bisau Road in Zamfara State.”
“The NYSC, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and traditional rulers, worked tirelessly to secure the release of the Corps members.
“There was a meeting with the Governor of Zamfara State, which played a crucial role in the operation.
“Through the combined effort of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army and the NYSC, the mission started yielding results. First was the rescue of the first set of four prospective Corps members,” he added.
source: The Nation
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U