The National Youth Service Corps has announced that prospective corps members who were kidnapped and therefore unable to complete their one-year national service will be issued certificates of completion.
This decision was revealed by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Ahmed noted that these individuals, having endured significant trauma during their captivity, would not be required to undergo the national service any longer.
The victims were originally on their way to Sokoto State for the three-week orientation course when they were abducted in Zamfara State on August 17, 2023.
The prospective corps members were traveling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company bus when they were ambushed and taken hostage. Their release occurred in stages, with the final group gaining freedom only this week.
The abductees include Daniel Etim Bassey (Uruan LGA, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka), 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 provided a timeline of their rescue, stating, “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 emphasized that no ransom was paid for the release of the corps members, crediting the Department of State Security and the Nigerian Army for their successful rescue efforts.
“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,” he said
Ahmed further clarified that the security agencies, particularly the army and the DSS, were solely responsible for the rescue operation, noting, “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.”
While no arrests have been made, the gang leader responsible for the kidnapping has been killed.
One of the rescued corps members, Emmanuel Esudue Emmanuel, shared his harrowing experience, describing it as “traumatic,” and expressed gratitude to the NYSC and the security agencies for their role in securing their release.
