The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has issued discharge certificates to prospective corps members who were kidnapped while traveling to Sokoto State for their orientation course.
These certificates are typically awarded only after completing the one-year national service, but due to the traumatic experiences these individuals endured, the NYSC has decided to make an exception.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, revealed this decision during a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday.
He explained that the corps members were abducted on August 17, 2023, while traveling through Zamfara State on their way to the NYSC orientation camp in Sokoto.
The victims were traveling in a bus operated by Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) when they were ambushed by kidnappers.
The kidnapped victims include:
– Daniel Etim Bassey (Uruan LGA, graduate of 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)
– Solomon Bassey Daniel (Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic)
Ahmed highlighted that the NYSC had chosen to award discharge certificates to these corps members as a special consideration due to the trauma they suffered during their captivity.
“After all they have gone through in the hands of their captors, they could no longer be mobilized for service,” he said.
The victims were released in batches over the past year, with the last one regaining freedom just this week.
According to the NYSC chief, the first victim, Emmanuel Esudue, was rescued on August 30, 2023, while the last victim, Solomon Bassey Daniel, was rescued on August 22, 2024.
In response to rumors circulating in the media, Brigadier General Ahmed clarified that no ransom was paid for the release of the corps members.
He credited the successful rescues to the efforts of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army, 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.”
He further explained that the victims were moved from one kidnapper’s camp to another, making it challenging to locate and rescue them.
Although no arrests have been made yet, Ahmed revealed that the gang leader responsible for the kidnapping had been killed.
One of the rescued corps members, Emmanuel Esudue, described the experience as “traumatic” and thanked the NYSC and security agencies for their efforts in securing their release.
“It was a painful and terrifying experience. We never knew if we would make it out alive, but we are grateful to be free,” Esudue said.
