The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced plans to issue certificates to prospective corps members who were unable to complete their mandatory one-year national service after being kidnapped by bandits.
The victims were en route to Sokoto State for the NYSC’s three-week orientation course when they were abducted in Zamfara State on August 17, 2023. The abductees 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 group was traveling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus when they were ambushed by the kidnappers. They were subsequently released in batches, with the final victim regaining freedom this week.
In a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, the Director-General of NYSC, announced that the victims would be issued discharge certificates due to the traumatic experiences they endured in captivity, making it impractical for them to be mobilized for service.
General Ahmed recounted the timeline of their rescue: “On August 30, 2023, we rescued the first prospective corps member, Emmanuel Esudue; Victoria Bassey Udoka was rescued on October 20, 2023. Abigail Peter Sandy and Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan were both rescued on December 7, 2023. Obong Victor Udofia was rescued on February 3, 2024, followed by Daniel Bassey on February 8, 2024. Glory Etukudu Thomas was rescued on June 9, 2024. Finally, on August 22, we rescued the last victim, Solomon Bassey Daniel.”
Ahmed emphasized that no ransom was paid for their release, attributing the successful rescue operation to the efforts of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Army. He also dispelled rumors of financial involvement by state governments or other organizations, stating, “No state government provided any funds for their rescue, as has been claimed in the media. The rescue efforts were solely carried out by the security agencies, particularly the Army and the DSS.”
He further explained that the corps members had been moved between various kidnappers’ camps, complicating the rescue efforts. Although no arrests have been made, Ahmed confirmed that the gang leader responsible for the abductions had been killed.
One of the rescued corps members, Emmanuel Esudue Emmanuel, described the ordeal as traumatic and expressed his gratitude to the NYSC and security agencies for their efforts in securing their release.
