THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed the release of two corps members kidnapped more than two months ago in Zamfara state.
This was disclosed by NYSC director of press and public relations Eddy Megwa on Friday, December 8, while speaking on Channels TV’s magazine programme Sunrise Daily.
He said efforts were on to ensure the safe release of the remaining four corps members with the kidnappers.
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Eleven prospective corps members from Akwa Ibom state were kidnapped on August 17 while travelling to the camp in Zamfara state.
They were abducted while travelling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom, to Sokoto state to carry out the mandatory one-year national service.
Megwa said out of the eleven abducted, three escaped shortly after they were held, leaving eight and the driver who were taken into the bush.
He added that one person was rescued on September 1, another regained freedom on October 20, and two were rescued on Thursday, December 7.
He said four others are still awaiting rescue.
“Yesterday, we were all excited to hear that two of our prospective corps members, who were kidnapped in the Zamfara saga, were rescued by the military.
“It’s a thing to be happy; it’s hope for all of us and the family. Even the remaining four—two girls and two boys—will still be rescued very soon.
“It’s been worrisome for us in the scheme over this number of months that these young ones that are coming up to serve their fatherland were kidnapped,” Megwa stated.
He claimed that the freed corps members were already getting medical care and would be reunited with their families and continue their national service once they recover.
Megwa reiterated the NYSC’s commitment to securing the safe release of the four hostages whom the kidnappers still held.
He claimed that the director-general of NYSC had promised the country that he would do all it required to ensure that the corps members were rescued unharmed.
He advised travelling corps members to take precautions, stay away from night travel, and get some rest after 6 p.m. to reduce their chance of being victims of unforeseen circumstances.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance