Photo: Group photograph of seven out of the eight prospective corps members at the NYSC headquarters on Friday
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday said the last of the eight prospective corps members kidnapped in Zamfara state has regained freedom.
The Director General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Yushau Ahmed made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
He said the last abducted prospective corps member, Solomon Bassey was rescued on August 22, 2024.
Recall, eight prospective corps members while traveling from Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, were kidnapped on August 17, 2023 by bandits along Zamfara-Sokoto highway on their way to NYSC orientation camp.
Gen Ahmed said “on August 22, we rescued the last corps member in a set of eight, Solomon Bassey.
“On the 30th of August, 2023, we rescued the first prospective corps member, Emmanuel Emmanuel Esudue”.
He emphasised that no state government paid any amount in the rescue of the corps members as claimed in the media.
“No group aided the rescue of these corps members, apart from the Nigerian Army and security agencies” Gen Ahmed said.
The Director General of the NYSC applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his great support.
He also mentioned the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), for professional guidance.
He said the Senate and House committees on youth also supported the NYSC.
“Let me also thank the Emir of Tsafe”.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Gen Ahmed said the kidnappers did not keep the corps members in one place, saying this made the rescue operation to be difficult. “They were never kept in one place” he said.
He however said the leader of the kidnappers has been killed, but no arrest has so far been made.
He urged corps members to avoid night journey, adding that no ransom was paid in the rescue of the corps members.
