The prospective corps members who were abducted in Zamfara State on August 17, 2023while traveling to Sokoto State for their orientation course will receive their discharge certificates.
They were aboard an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus when they were ambushed and taken hostage.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) decided to issue corps members discharge certificates due to the trauma.
The victims include Daniel Etim Bassey (Uruan LGA, 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).
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, while briefing Journalists in Abuja, said the affected corps members could no longer be mobilized for service due to the trauma they endured but would be issued discharge certificates.
“The kidnappers frequently moved the victims between different camps, which complicated their rescue. While no arrests have been made, the leader of the kidnapping gang has been reportedly killed.
“The first corps member, Emmanuel Esudue, was freed on August 30, 2023, followed by others in subsequent months. The final victim, Solomon Daniel Bassey, was rescued on August 22, 2024, and no ransom was paid for the release of the corps members,” he said.
The NYSC Director-General saluted the combined efforts of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Army for the successful rescue of the victims.
One of the rescued corps members, Emmanuel Esudue, described the experience as traumatic and expressed gratitude to the NYSC and security agencies for their efforts in securing their release.
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