The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said the report that gunmen killed 344 corps members in the north west and another 200 in North East in 2021 was false reportage.
A statement signed by Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations said no corps member deployed to the North-East and North-West geo-political zones of the country was killed, neither was any abducted by bandits in July, 2021, as reported.
She was reacting to reports by a national daily, saying the report has the propensity to create apprehension in the minds of parents, guardians and other stakeholders.
The statement which read in part; said”As earlier stated every discerning mind knows that story, as well as that of today are both false. No Corps Member deployed to the North-East and North-West geo-political zones of the country was killed, neither was any abducted by bandits in July, 2021, as reported.
“Management would have ignored this story, but had to issue this rebuttal for the sake of undiscerning minds who may swallow the fake news, hook, line and sinker.
“Management hereby passionately appeals to both the mainstream and new media, as opinion moulders and critical stakeholders in the polity to always place national interest above every other consideration in their reportage, as anything contrary has the propensity to create apprehension in the minds of parents, guardians and other stakeholders.
“NYSC shall continue to prioritise the security and welfare of Corps Members which is the cardinal policy thrust of the Scheme”.
