Two additional abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps members from Akwa Ibom State who were kidnapped in Zamfara State on their way to the orientation camp in Sokoto State have regained freedom.
The Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
PUNCH Metro had reported on December 4 that barely four months after the eight graduates abducted on their way to the NYSC orientation camp in Sokoto State had yet to be released.
The fresh graduates, it was gathered, were abducted by the gunmen on August 17, on a highway in Zamfara State.
The prospective corps members were travelling in an AKTC bus to Sokoto State for the mandatory youth service programme for Nigerian graduates.
But in the statement issued on Thursday, the NYSC management said it had secured the release of two of the abducted prospective corps members.
According to Megwa, this means that four of the eight PCMs and the driver who was kidnapped would have been released.
The statement partly read, “The Nigerian Army recently secured the release of a male and female abductees, while efforts are seriously ongoing to ensure the safe release of the remaining four Prospective Corps Members.”
It added that the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yush’au Ahmed, “hereby reassures the public, especially the parents of the remaining four abductees that the scheme, in conjunction with security agencies, will explore every available strategy to ensure their release unhurt and reunite them with their families.
“NYSC management also wishes to appreciate the overwhelming support received from the Nigerian Army in its concerted efforts towards securing the release of the abducted prospective corps members,” Megwa added.
He reiterated the scheme’s dedication to fulfilling its mandate under the law to advance national unity and integration.
“The NYSC management also wishes to appreciate the overwhelming support received from the Nigerian Army in its concerted efforts towards securing the release of the abducted prospective corps members,” Megwa said.
He restated the scheme’s determination to remain resolute in its statutory responsibility of fostering national unity and integration.
