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.
The incident occurred on August 17, 2023, when the victims were en route to Sokoto State for a three-week orientation course and were ambushed in Zamfara State. They were traveling in an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus when they were abducted.
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The kidnapped victims were identified as 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).
Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, Director-General of the NYSC, addressed journalists in Abuja on Friday, confirming that the victims would be issued discharge certificates. He stated that after the trauma they experienced, they could no longer be mobilized for service.
Ahmed detailed the rescue efforts, stating, “On the 30th of August, 2023, we rescued the first prospective corps member, Emmanuel Esudue; Victoria Bassey Udoka was rescued on the 20th of October, 2023. Abigail Peter Sandy and Sabbath Anyaewe Ikan were both rescued on the 7th of December, 2023. 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, August 22, we rescued the last victim, Solomon Bassey Daniel.”
He emphasized that no ransom was paid for the rescue of the corps members, crediting their release to the combined efforts of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.
Ahmed dispelled rumors that state governments or any other organizations were involved in the rescue, stating, “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. 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.”
Ahmed further disclosed that the kidnapped corps members were moved between different camps, complicating the rescue operation. He confirmed that while no arrests have been made, the gang leader responsible for the kidnapping has been killed.
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.
